HomeMy WebLinkAboutChateau #8 Drainage HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A Good Place to Live
OFFICIALS
COUNCILMEN
WILLIAM G.BERG,JR.,CItyClerk CITY OF MERIDIAN R
A
JANICE GASS, Treasurer oe ~a~~ ER
BRUCE D. STUART, Waterworks supt. 33 EAST IDAHO MAxYERRINGTON
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney ROBERT D. CORRIE
JOHN SHAWCROFT, Waste water supt. MERIDIAN
IDAHO 83642
KENNY BOWERS, Fire Chief , Chairman zoning & Planning
BILL GORDON, Police Chief Phone (208) 888-4433 JIM JOHNSON
GARY SMITH, P.E., City Engineer FAX (208) 887-4813 Centennial Coordinator
GRANT P. KINGSFORD PATSY FEDRIZZI
Mayor
November 9, 1993
Mr. Leon Blaser
Interwest Financial Services
Developer of Chateau Meadows #8 Subdivision
3875 Twilight Drive
Boise, ID 83703
Dear Mr. Blaser, t„,,~,, ,
Thank you for call,"ing me today ahd~`discussing the drainage
situation in Chateau, Meadows #g, Subdivision.°•.,
Based on our telephone conversation, ~ url~l~~stand that you are
proceeding to retain 'a geotechnical enc~inee~ that will design a
crawls ace drains e s stem ~hat~~~4 m "rv~ ~ L
p g y you wiY~" 'install' at the Butch Suor
property at 25'50 North Meadowglen A~.ac~. If ;this design is
successful and drains Ntr. Suor"s crawl s~a~ce, then you intend to
construct similar drainage systems in eac~~~ ~I~y,,the remaining five
affected properties. ~ "'` k ~~-~` ~ °'
I also understand from our c,,onv~rsation that you are
requesting a letter from the City addr~ss,ed t,a" you which will
clarify liability issues taYich~°cts~tiT`t~~ h~l'~ your ~`;irm harmless from
any future problems associated with sub-surface`,"drainage on these
lots. I will certainly discuss your rec~u`est f~br a hold harmless
agreement with the Mayor, .City Council, and` City Attorney and I
will let you know the City's posit"inn on;-this matter. In the
meantime, please let m~e know iff'; I h~rve^°'correctly understood our
conversation and what actions „you ~:a~-lr~be taking to correct the
drainage situation in Chateau Meadows #8.
Once again thank you for calling and coordinating your actions
with the City of Meridian.
Respectfully
City of Meridian
W ~'
Wayne S . Forrey, AICP
Planning Director
y~
KUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
OFFICIALS
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR., City Clerk
JANICE GASS, Treasurer
BRUCE D. STUART, Water Works Supt.
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney
JOHN SHAWCROFT, Waste Water Supt.
KENNY BOWERS, FlreChiel
81LL GORDON, Police Chlef
GARY SMITH, P.E., City Engineer
A Good Place to Live
CITY OF MERIDIAN
33 EAST IDAHO
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
Phone (208) 888-4433
FAX (208) 887-4813
GRANT P. KINGSFORD
Mayor
COUNCILMEN
RONALD R. TOLSMA
ROBERT GIESLER
MAXYERRINGTON
ROBERT D. CORRIE
Chairman Zoning & Planning
JIM JOHNSON
Centennial Coordinator
PATSY FEDRIZZI
October 26, 1993
Mr. Leon Blaser
Interwest Financial Services
Developer of Chateau Meadows #8 Subdivision
3875 Twilight Drive
Boise, ID 83703 ___,~~~„__
~ ~ ~,
Dear Mr. Blaser, ~,~H ;'
Thank you for yau~ assistance in heli
investigate water saturated soils and ~
~Frzxr-.y:~ ,.,~~~wan nr~v+~rarxnrmxm,~
Chateau Meadows ~`8 Subdzvis~~7bn.~~~~ the
has been receivied and arxaly~ed by :Man
engineer in accordance with out verbal~ag
of the independei^tt :Qngineers lute ~ . o e
October 20, 1393 is er'tcl'osed
' 'aur '
letter were also distributed to ese
October 21 Coordination Meetz~ ate Mez~.di
~,.
Based on f<eld work, ~~ ~~~~o~~
anaylsis by the' independent engineer,
concludes that the drainage situation in
to be a soils related problem. The I
described as Lots 21,<, 22, `23, N33, ` 3~4~ a
Meadows #8 Subdivis>on.- - ,,K ~"~
~~~e City of Meridian
~~`i~'awl spaces in the
orma~t~ion we requested
idepe~dent consulting
:went kith you. A copy
~~~, 1Meridian, dated
dew: ~~Copies of this
~;.
rties I+liho attended the
n City , ~Tal l .
1s a~cl objective data
the ~~~ity of Meridian
a.~~`ected lots appears
:~,edted properties are
d'° ~35, Block 9 Chateau
The City of Meridian formalYy=~requests that you, the Developer
of Chateau Meadows #8, retain a Geotechnical engineer to conduct
further detailed site soil anaylsis of each affected property and
then design and construct a crawl space drainage system appropriate
to the soil conditions at each affected property.
We are requesting that this work be completed as soon as
possible and no later than March 1, 1994. The affected homeowners
have been very patient while we have been investigating this
situation. Your Geotechnical engineer needs to expedite this
project to avoid further water problems this Spring.
Page 1 of 2
. 0 6
s i a
OFFICIALS
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR., City Clerk
JANICE GASS, Treasurer
BRUCE D. STUART, Water Works Supt.
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney
JOHN SHAWCROFT, Waste Water Supt.
KENNY BOWERS, Fire Chief
BILL GORDON, Police Chief
GARY SMITH, P.E., City Engineer
Page 2 of 2
FLUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A Good Place to Live
CITY OF MERIDIAN COUNCILMEN
RR
A
OSERTO ESLER
33 EAST IDAHO MAXYERRINOTON
ROBERT D. CORRIE
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642
Phone (208) 888-4433 Chairman Zoning & Planning
JIM JOHNSON
FAX (208) 887-4813 Centennial Coordinator
GRANT P. KINGSFORD PATSY FEDRIZZI
Mayor
As you proceed to solve this problem, don't hesitate to contact me
or the independent engineer to get copies of any information we
have that can help you.
Once again, thank you for your assistance and willingness to
solve this problem.
Respectfully
City of Meridian
Way~le S Forrey, AICP
Planning Director
w
Don Bryan
Keith Loveless, P.E.
Gary Lee, P.E.
David Collins, P.E.
Don Hubble, P.E.
John & Julie Suor
Lorri Chapman
Kevin Martinez
Bob & Sheryl Howe
Shannon ~ DelMatcinen
Leon Blaser
2070 N. Locust Grove Rd. Meridian
3330 Grace St. Boise
250 S. Beachwood Ave. Boise
3350 Americana Terrace Boise
9550 Bethel Covert Boise
2550 N. Meadowglen PI. Meridian
2542 N. Meadowglen PI. Meridian
2190 Lochmeadow Ct. Meridian
2194 E Lochmeadow Ct. Meridian
2197 E. Lochmaedow Ct. Meridian
3785 Twilight Drive Boise
I ~--- ~ ~"
ao
! `'
~ i
Located in the Payless Shopping Center, Meridian
887-0081
fD 83642
ID 83703
ID 83709
ID 83702
ID 83709
ID 83642
ID 83642
ID 83642
ID 83642
ID 83642
ID 83703
Glenn K. Bennett, P.L.S.
President
Timothy A. Burgess, P.E.
Vice President
Civil Survey Consultants, Inc.
P.O. Box 39
1530 W. State Street
Meridian, Idaho 83680
Statement
City of Meridian
33 E. Idaho Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Attn: Gary Smith
Re: Chateau Meadows No. 8
V '-
L
~~~ceras~ ~ ~ wq '~,~-
(208)888-4312
Fax 888-0323
November 1, 1993
Job No: 93007
Date Professional Services Char a Credit Balance
11/01/93 Professional Services during October, 1993 to perform
topographic survey and prepare evaluation regarding
groundwater problems at ChateauMeadows No. 8 Sub.
Labor:
Project Manager 11 hrs @ $55.00/hr $605.00
2-Man Survey Crew 4 hrs @ $85.00/hr $340.00
Draftsman 4 hrs @ $ 40.00/hr $160.00
$1,105.00
~~~~~
ir.~cifr~E~~
Total Amount Due $1,105.00 $1,105.00
Terms: Net Cash
Due in 30 Days
Over 30 Days 1.5%
CHATEAU MEADOWS..#8 DRAINAGE MEETING OCTOBER 21, 1993
The Special Meeting for the Chateau Meadows #8 Drainage problem was
called to order by Wayne Forney.
Others present: Wayne Forrey, Tim Burgess, Max Yerrington, Shannon
Mainken, Sherril Howe, Steve Bublitz, Lori Chapman, Allison of
Garland Homes:
Forrey: okay, we've all been busy and I guess that just shows
because not very many people are here so either hunting are they're
still very busy. I have some handouts I made 20 copies so we've
got plenty and if you want to take several for your neighbors do so
or for any other builders in your firm Steve or whatever but I
figured we'd have 15 or 20 folks here. At the prior meetings we've
had max. So let's hand these out and I'm going to read so it get's
into the record and I apologize for reading to you but let's just
go through these handouts and read them quickly and then discuss.
I'm not going to read the minutes but here are copies of the
minutes from the last meeting that we had and here are photgraphs.
One of the things that we said that the City would do would be to
hire Tim Burgess to monitor test hole ~2 but also to do a survey
and so here is a copy of the survey drawing the topography. And
you can look at the elevations there and in a nutshell Tim found
that the area in the backyards of the affected homes is relatively
flat. Now there is some slope but certainly I think the flatness
of the backyards and sideyards contributes to some extent to this
problem anytime when you have a flat surface and drainage is going
to be a problem. Now here is the essence of what we're going to
discuss today. Again take as many copies as you'd like, last time
we met we indicated the City would proceed to get a Engineering
firm of board, monitor test hole #2, and then to make some
recommendations to the city, and here is a copy of the letter that
I received today and I'm going to read that into the record.
"Dear Mayor and Council, as requested by Wayne Forney I have
conducted an investigation regarding the crawl space water problem
in the area of Lots 21, 22, 23, 34, 35 of Block 9 of Chateau
Meadows #8. My investigation included observing the excavation of
test hole #2 near the NE corner of Lots 21 Block 9 of Chateau
Meadows ~8, a backyard topographic survey of Lots 21, 22, 23, 33,
34, 35, interviews with same homeowners and builders or review of
the water usage records for the affected lots, a review of the bore
logs furnished by Intermountain Testing, excuse me, Intermountain
Materials Testing, a review of the subdivision plans and a general
reconnaissance of the area on the nprthend of Loch Meadow Court.
The following is a summary of my findings . " Now the person writing
this letter is Tim Burgess right t here, next paragraph. "Test
hole #2 is excavated on September 30, 1993 at 2:30 p.m. by
Bitteroot Construction. The alfalfa field where the test hole is
located was dry during the excavation. It had just recently be
harvested so it probably had not been irrigated for approximately
two weeks.
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 2
The adjoining ditch between the field and homes on lots 21, 22, 23
was dry, the pasture at the east edge of lot 21 was damp where is
drained into the back lot line pipe, the backyards were dry and do
not appeared to have been watered for several days, water was
flowing in the concrete line ditch north of lots 33, 34 , 35 then
north in the ditch between the two fields. Mrs. Howe pwner of lot
22 came out during the test hole excavation and observed the hole
before it was back filled." And that's correct Sherrill
Howe: Yes
Forrey: Okay, " We also installed a four inch perforated PVC pipe
in the test hole to allow further monitoring of the ground water
table. Ground water was not present at the time of the excavation
until a depth of 9 feet below existing ground surface." Let me
stop right there and make sure you have a copy of everything.
Could you introduce yourself . Lori get to the paper that has Civil
Survey Consultants Inc. on top, and I'm reading I'm in the second
paragraph about half way down. " Ground water was not present at
the time of excavation until a depth of ~ feet below existing
ground surface. A white film of of what happened to be calcium, oh
excuse me, of what appeared to be calcium carbonate indicated that
water probably is present at a depth of 3.84 feet below ground
surface at some time. Wayne Forrey and I checked the water level
in the monitoring pipe again today,which would have been yesterday
afternoon, and found that the ground water still at approximately
9 feet below existing ground. The enclosed survey drawing includes
a detailed test hole Log for your reference. I have also enclosed
a copy of photographs which were taken during the excavation, and
you see the photographs we handed out and the test hole data is on
the large blue print that you have, third paragraph," The backyard
topographic survey consists of locating the existing homes fence
lines, property lines along with obtaining ground elevation in the
immediate area, a review of this data indicates the affected lots
are relatively flat with approximately 1 to 2 feet of fall between
the building foundation and back Iines. Allison of Garland Homes
who built the home on Lot 22, Block 9, called me on September 29,
1993 she indicated they started work on the home in October 1992
and finished in January 1993. Excavation the foundation occurred
before October 31 1992 but she did not have a specific date she
said that they had very wet conditions during the entire house
building process due to rain and snow, the ground was either muddy
or frozen. Steve Bublitz, who built the home on Lot 21, Block 9
stopped by my office on October 1 1993, he said they started work
in January 1993 and finished work in April 1993. The ground was
frozen during excavation of the foundation and remained frozen
during much of the construction process. When it did thaw it
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 3
remained muddy until April. He said when the foundation was
excavated they excavated through a lot fill and root zone to native
materials. He said the excavation was inspected my Meridian's
Building Department. Steve's very accurate summary of
Bublitz: I also told him I don't think I talked to you did I, I
talked to someone else. I also said that the backyard especially,
well the contract with Shannon was to landscape and sod and
everything and we couldn't even fine grade it until maybe after you
moved in.
Mainken: Yeah, it was too wet
Forney: It was too wet, to wet to fine grade it.
Bublitz: It was like a bog, like a sponge
Mainken: Well we didn't have grass on the 4th of July.
Howe: When they put our sod when the tractor came back to take to
that it ruined all of our ground just tore it up.
Chapman: Mine was the same way, it was sopping wet you couldn't
even begin to get anything back there to grade until it was
probably July.
Forney: Okay continuing here, "Wayne and I also spoke to the owner
of Lot 20 Block 9 today. He indicated that his home was the first
home built on East Meadowloch Court, he built the house with the
assistance of his Grandfather beginning approximately this time
last year. He did not encounter wet conditions during construction
of his home, he did encounter some caliche on the northerly portion
of his lot. He indicated that the adjoining lots were covered with
weeds during construction of his home and he did not notice whether
they were wet at that time." And that's correct that represents
the conversation that Tim and I had with that owner. "I reviewed
the water usage records for the affected homes in 1993 and compared
them to the water usage records for my personal residence for the
period of 1983 through 1992." Is this Allison? Well we'll forgive
you, let's give you a copy of what we're going through so you can
read along with us Allison. That top memo that you have turn to
page 2 we're in the 4th .paragraph. "I used the Howe's record for
comparison purposes since they are experiencing the biggest problem
and are one of the highest users. In general their water usage,
subtracting the average use during February and March as domestic
use during the period of April through September is lower than the
usage at my home on a per square foot of gross lot area basis.
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 4
Comparing usage on a lawn area basis the Howe's applied
approximately 11.6 inches compared to 14 inches at my home. I do
not have a water problem at my residence which is located at 735
Hanover Court here in Meridian. I have enclosed a copy of a spread
sheet summarizing water usage at the affected homes and a spread
sheet for water usage at my home for your reference." Let me pause
there for a minute. At earlier meetings there was some speculation
that maybe the homeowners were overwatering, so we did I think a
very thorough analysis of water records and on the back you can
turn to it now or later Tim has compared the usage of these homes
with his home which is an average lot in Meridian. And generally
finds that no one is excessively using sprinkling water, its just
a pretty typical water usage in Meridian. Okay continuing on," A
review of the bore logs furnished by Intermountain Materials
Testing indicates that wet clay with some sand was present in most
of the hand augured holes. Some holes indicated the presence of
vegetation and odors at a depth of approximately 28 to 36 inches
which would indicate fill to that depth. 6dater was observed
seeping into one hole at 2550 North Meadowglen Place." which home
is that by the way? That's Butch's. " The subdivision plan show a
French drain located between lots 22 and 23, and a French drain
located between lots 34 and 35." And that is shown on the
blueprint that you have there. " These French drains are designed
to dispose of storm run off by percolation into the surrounding
soils. They are also connected to the irrigation drain along the
northerly property line which discharges to the adjoining field
drain. I removed the lid on the junction box located in the
northeast corner of lot 22 today. Bitterroot Construction had
installed a test ball in the discharge pipe to prevent any
irrigation wastewater from entering into the French drain. I
removed the test ball to verify if any water was present in the
French drain. No water was present, therefore shallow groundwater
is not present to a depth of approximately 2 feet below existing
grade as of today." And I was there and witnessed and Tim is
absolutely correct. we took that test ball out that is basically
a device that inflates inside of a pipe so nothing can wave through
the pipe, its a valve really. And we were speculating that if
groundwater was a problem when we removed that valve we'd some
water. And it just wasn't there. So we're kind of going through
a process of elimination here.
Chapman: Is it possible that was there now that the irrigation
water is all gone? Is that a possibility?
Forrey: No because that valve would have prevented the irrigation
water from going back up the French drain pipe. That's why that
ball valve was put in there by Bitterroot, because I guess earlier
homeowners or someone had said we think the problem is from that
irrigation water going back up that French drain pipe and
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 5
saturating the soil, so Bitterroot put that valve that ball in
there to prevent that from happening.
Bublitz: Couldn't that water soak back up that direction anyway?
Burgess: The French drain is just a big gravel that has a
perforated pipe in it.
Bublitz: Because there is no water there now but
Burgess: We pulled the ball out there wasn't any water
Bublitz: The ball only keeps the water running back, but what
about seeping back?
Chapman: Wayne, I just want to make a comment on Monday we moved
into our house it had an inch of water.
Howe: I haven't crawled under there
Forney: We looked at it yesterday, and I think we're going to get
to that here. And was this uniform 1 inch or in a corner? Or where
it always is?
Chapman: Yea, where it always is.
Forney: Okay, reading on, " Wayne Forney and I also conducted a
general reconnaissance of the northerly end of East Lochmeadow
Court today. We checked the water meter boxes which service lots
21, 22, 23, and 24. The soils in the bottom of each box were wet
but there was no standing water present or indication that standing
water has ever been present. None of the meters were flowing
water, therefore, it does not appear there are any leaks in the
water service pipes between the meters and homes. I also checked
the irrigation shutoff valve boxes near the southeast corner of the
Howe's home. No water was present in these boxes which are 4.8
feet deep. I also checked the westerly bore hole on the Howe's
property for standing water. None was present. The Hdwe's yard
was wet and appeared to have been water today . " Sheryl i s that
correct, had you watered before we were there to knowledge?
Howe: It comes on at night, so I'm sure it was.
Chapman: I have a question, both Sheryl and I on this water meter
the standing water in the water meter, are you talking about the
things under the driveway?
Forney: Yea, the little round lid.
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 6
Chapman: Because both Sheryl and I have seen water in there
Forney: You've pulled the lid off and have seen water in there.
Well yesterday.
Burgess: There weren't any lines on the side that looked like
water had been standing.
Forney: You know you'll have kind of the old bath tub ring or
toilet ring and it didn't have that.
Chapman: I've seen it
Howe: Did you check the one on ours
Forney: Yea, we're not saying it doesn't happen, yesterday it was
moist I mean dark soil, damp but you couldn't see any water and
there wasn't that bath tub ring that just jumped out at you. Let's
see,11 There was one extremely wet spot near the southeast fence
corner near one of their sprinklers. Wayne and I also observed the
condition of the Howe's crawl space. There was no standing water,
but the soil was extremely wet and appeared to be clayey materials.
We also checked the crawl space of the home under construction on
lot 24. Ido visible water was present near the crawl space access.
Based on the results of my investigation, as outlined above, I have
reached the following conclusions:
1. Shallow ground water groundwater at or near the footing depth)
is not present at this time and is therefore not currently
contributing to the problem.
2. Soils in the adjoining field where no irrigation has occurred
for several weeks were dry to a depth of approximately 9 feet below
existing ground surface. There are free draining materials in the
area below the clay surface.
3. Soils on the residential lots appear to consist mainly of
impermeable clay materials to a depth below the footings.
4. The residential lots are relatively flat and not well drained.
5. The water use records do not indicate that the lawn irrigation
is excessive.
There does not appear to be a clear cause to this problem. In my
opinion, the water problem is a combination of several factors
which include the presence of relatively impermeable soils; the
possible presence of a caliche layer which has been claimed by Mrs.
Howe, but not confirmed in test hale no. 2) and relatively flat
graded residential lots. The cumulative effect of these factors
results in the naturally occurring precipitation, and irrigation
water not used by the lawns, not dissipating into the surrounding
soils which results in a constant moisture problem in the area. I
am not a soils expert, and since this appears to be a soils related
problem, I recommend that a geotechnical engineer be retained to
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 7
provide an expert opinion regarding the cause of the problem and
possible solution. Thank you for the opportunity to assist the
City of Meridian on this issue. Sincerely, Tim Burgess." Now
here's the City's interpretation we promised that we would spend
some money and some energy and we've done that . Retained. this firm
and this man, spent a lot of time thinking this trough and talking
to other people and we owe it I guess to ourselves and to others to
get to a conclusion here. So here is the bottom line from the City
first of all, we've tried to be fair and objective, we've not asked
Tim to sugar coat anything or overlook something. We didn't really
get in a lot of direction, just tell us what your interpretation
is, which he has done, and he's gone through and the City has gone
through and with your help we've gone through a process of
elimination. Now based on that process of elimination we know that
there are some things that are not causing the problem, but what it
appears to be is a soils related problem. That's the conclusion
that our independent engineer has arrived at, that's the conclusion
that our City Engineer has arrived at. I'm not a soils expert
either but it appears from watching this process now for several
weeks it is a soils related problem. And so the City believes that
the homeowners and the builders should seek a remedy with the
developer. in the State of Tdaho, in the State Subdivision Code
there are some statutes that talk about the Department of Health
and Welfare going through a approval process at the land
development stage and it talks about the porosity of soil as one of
the factors that is evaluated by the Department of Health and
Welfare Division of Environmental Quality. And this appears to be
a porosity of soil issue. So we think that the Developers role in
this is to provide a usable and functional lot so that a builders
can build a structure so that a homeowner can live and enjoy life.
In this case we don't feel that, well what we feel is that the
soils are limiting the use and the function of that lot, the home
its causing a problem to the home. and the quality of life. So it
all comes back to soils, we think it goes back to the Developers
responsibility to solve this problem. Now a geotechnical engineer
I believe the City's opinion needs to be retained by the Developer
to come up with and engineering solution perhaps for each lot there
might be different types of clay on each individual lot, fill was
brought in there might be a higher percentage on one lot compared
to another, we don't know that's what the geotechnical engineer
would determine. So the City is going to be asking and if
necessary demanding that the Developer retain a geotechnical
engineer. That detailed soil samples be conducted on your
individual lots and that a solution be designed by a geotechnical
engineer. It may be a series of simple perforations at key points
around the foundation it may be a curtain drain around the entire
house, it might be a perforated pipe around the house going off to
another French drain I don't know, but in essence what we've got is
some clay and the only way water can escape from that clay maybe is
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 8
by natural evaporation its not able to go down. The porosity of
the soil and permeability is limited plus below that we've got
caliche which even adds to the problem. So we've got homes sitting
on top of clay that's preventing evaporation. So it is always
moist, in effect I think your homes are built on some clay and that
creates problems, you're well aware of that. We need your input
that's where we stand right now. I wish the developer was here he
was invited and his engineer was invited.
Chapman: I have two questions, you said you were going to demand
that Mr. Biaser hire a geotechnical engineer.
Forrey: Yes, we'll start by asking and I suspect if he refuses I
believe that we have the authority to demand, that would probably
take Council action
Chapman: 6lhhat would be your deadline?
Forrey: I don't know
Chapman: And, when they hire one, will the City of Meridian also
demand that he pay for the houses to be fixed?
Forrey: I don't know, I'm speculating, I don't know. We don't
feel its a City problem and we don't feel its a homeowner problem,
I'm not sure if builders brought in fill or not, did you bring in
fill Steve?
Bublitz: I didn't
Forrey: So you purchased a lot that the Developer had provided
fill
Bublitz: Basically you go in there and dig a hole and put your
house there and you take the dirt that you dug out of the hole pile
that up around the house and level it off.
Howe: Have you asked the Developer and the engineer what they did
put in and how much they put in, because I know there's organic
material.
Forrey: No, what we've done, Sheryl, is follow, you remember the
process we had on the screen in fact its at the tailend o€ the
minutes I handed out, do you remember that sheet that said what the
City will, what the Developer will do, the property owner etc.
That's all we've done follow that procedure, I didn't get any kind
of a filling record from Collins Engineering or the Developer, but
its obvious from the hand auguring that there has been fill.
Drainage Meeting
October 21., 1993
Page 9
Bublitz: Basically, what happens is the peveloper comes in there
they scrape all the dirt off the streets and pile it up on the
And this is something that the builders complain about all the
time, in this case it didn't make much difference because mine had
about the right amount of dirt on it. But a lot of time they'll
pile too much dirt on the lots and we have to haul it off or charge
them to haul it off. So the extra dirt that is on the lot
originally is the more organic to soil you know the stuff we all
felt was the there for who knows how long, that's put over on our
lots. We dug down and Doug came out and inspected my lot you know
he's very thorough about how low he wanted me to dig that. He
wanted to make sure I got down to the alfalfa roots, to prove that
I was below intenative soil. If I hadn't been under the alfalfa
roots he said he would have made me tear out my footing forms and
dig some more, but I was okay I was right at and acceptable spot.
I always try to keep my houses as high as I can no matter where you
know no matter what I build I go as high as I can get. So I'm down
in this flat hole that's at clay at that point essentially, I mean
we're just below into the alfalfa roots which we can tell its
fairly inorganic, you know its not rich black soil. You know
alfalfa is a hearty plant, it can grow anywhere really as far as
your water. So that is the point that forms our bottom of our
crawl space, I put a foundation in about I don't know two days
later it starts raining and snowing everyday for three months. so
I've had mud everywhere I can't tell what's draining or not I mean
its raining everyday, we're standing in mud everyday, you know I
can't tell with that. Its not getting necessarily up to my waist
but its deep.
Forrey: I got just, Steve, reconfirms what we found is that there
is a high concentration of clay the only way it goes anywhere
through evaporation and it wouldn't have done that during winter.
Tt would have stood around on overcast days and more and high
humidity.
Bublitz: It said up right until June, we quit in April, so you
know when I get ready to go out there and fine grade the lot so
Shannon could plant her grass it would rain again. She's asking
when are we going to get the lawn, I a\can't do anything.
Mainken: Didn't that happen to you all too, I mean it seems like
it took forever for it to dry out just to get over to get your
property. I mean everything was wet, so we how are we to know.
Howe: I've got a question too, Wayne, on #1
Forrey: Of the conclusions?
Howe: Yeah,
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 10
Forrey: Page 3?
Howe: Okay, groundwater at or near the footing depth is not
present at this time, the day the auguring was being done by I
believe Mr. Johnson.
Forrey: Collins, the hand auguring, Intermountain. Materials
Testing, i don't know the name of the person, the firm I do.
Howe: I walked down there and talked to them and Rich was there
also and he's not here to testify, but the water was about two feet
and I'm surprised it didn't show that.
Forrey: Well, Tim's reporting on what we found yesterday
Burgess: Yes
Forrey: So it wasn't there
Burgess: So I didn't report anything I haven't seen.
Bublitz: Another thing I'd like to point out we've got a test pole
here and at the top of it is two 1,000 2 and quarter feet basically
so say that 2 feet 3 and Sheryl I mean Shannon's foundation was
about a foot 1 foot 9 inches or so below that.
Burgess: Well at that 102 27ths at he tope of the plastic pipe
Bublitz: Is that the correct grade
Burgess : Its at the top of the plastic pipe, the ground at that
spot is 99.
Bublitz: Oh, okay I see, so that's actually lower than, not much
but 9 inches lower. So at this point on lot 21 on the northwest
corner represents grade at her at that 1,000 that's ground level.
Burgess: Each one of those tiny X's that are there those are all
ground shots, the number next to the X represents the elevation,
and they're all based on assuming an elevation of a 1,000 on top of
this one irrigation box in the backyard.
Bublitz: Which irrigation box
Burgess: Its the one on lot 34 that says TBM #1 by it. Then right
above that is a description of where we assume is in the north
pole.
Bublitz: Its flat
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 11
Forney: Yes it is flat, so we have really a combination here of
flatness and clay soils.
Bublitz: The irrigation doesn't even look like, it should be
higher right here, not much. There are point along to the east
that are lower than that, see what I'm saying, am I right there?
The east of your TBM point that are lower than that to the east.
Burgess: Its all pretty flat, the TBM's on top of the box so its
above the grade a little bit, but all the way along there is 99.,
so basically what I'm saying is that water is sitting.
Forney: Do you remember the slides that I had Steve, I had talked
with Bob T guess, Sheryl, and he had mentioned it had been several
days Since there had been water in the ditch, and yet T pulled back
the vegetation and there was standing water in the ditch through
there it was all wet and marshy through there.
Howe: Was that directly behind the house?
Forney: Yea, about what a
Howe: That's why I was pumping the water from there, from the
crawl hole, not that day.
Forney: No, not that day
Howe: I wanted to make sure that was before we started pumping.
Bublitz: I there any conceivable way to make that water flow back
there?
Forney: The irrigation water?
Bublitz: Well yea, I mean I still say there is water back here and
that's what's doing the problem, is that its not moving.
Forney: I'm sure that it contributing
Burgess: No it looks to me like its irrigating form the very east
end and the tail water picks up.
Howe: So its like run off
Bublitz: But it just doesn't go anywhere is the problem, if it was
run off it would be fine if it had some fall to it.
Burgess: Well the ditch was empty both times I have been there.
It was wet at the bottom of it but it was empty, this field here
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 12
the first four feet of it were really dry but we dug that hole.
Chapman: We started kind of late here and the water problem was
defiantly worse when they were doing their heavy irrigating. I
mean months after they started on it, and by then they slowed down
their irrigating, so of course there isn't a lot of water in there
right now.
Yerrington: Is it a waste ditch or is it a live water ditch?
Forrey: It's a waste ditch, Max.
Chapman: Well the one on the back property line, is that a waste
ditch?
Forrey: Well the one Max is referring to is the open ditch on the
north side of wire fence which is your back fence there on your
property line. And it is headed west, is that right Tim?
Burgess: It all goes to the middle of that, I suspect that other
property line
Bublitz: Another thing to think about is all the lots were
saturated even before the irrigation system season started. So I
keep trying to be optimistic and think, of course the ground we
piled up around the house was to d\create a slope away from the
house, is permeable dirt the water is just going to go down through
that to the clay and sit there. And you talk about the fact theirs
is not being sloped, but Shannon's is pretty well, you can stand on
the porch view and look out and see the slope, there is a
reasonable amount of slope.
Forrey: Help me here Tim, my understanding of geotechnical
engineering is that they have a way to actually calculate
theoretically or mathematically calculate based on precipitation
and soil type and all kinds of irrigation schedules how big of a
drain and where to put that drain to make sure that they solve this
problem, It is a science its not magic but someone's got to pay
for it and accept the responsablility and our opinion is that's the
Developers role to hire the geotechnical, look at each lot and
design something to solve the problem for each homeowner, and our
feeling is too that its the developers responsibility to not only
hire the geotechnical but implement the solution the engineering
solution for each lot.
Howe: I was going to say that just the process starting 4 or 5
months ago, you know getting the developers to come to a meeting
has not worked, and I'm wondering how long this is going to take.
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 13
Chapman: You'd actually have to sue him
Howe: Right, I don't know
Bublitz: Why don't you take a letter of demand to him and go from
there, and if he says forget or doesn't return your calls file a
class action suit.
Forrey: I think, in fairness, the City will assume that he or she
the Developer his or her representatives want to solve this
problem. You have dealt with him on a emotional level we deal with
this person at a regulatory level. So we'll make the assumption
that he's going to respond positively to our letter. We are going
to ask him to hire an expert to look at each lot, design a solution
and implement a solution. Now if that doesn't happen then its to
this gentleman right here, Max Yerrington, and I believe we have
the teeth to make it happen Max, but it will take some Council
action at that point. You might Max, give your feeling of how you
see this happening.
Yerrington: Its a little over my head, when we start getting into
attorney's, just even getting a court date is something of course
you need your other survey to know what's causing it, to see what
can be done. These guys, you have them do they don't want to be
accused sometimes don't want to go through court. Well I think
that's what should be done, get a hold of somebody a find out
what's going to be done about all your problems, put up $100 and
get it done, for the survey.
Forrey: Well, we're going to assume this is not something we don't
have to litigate. The City is going to make a reasonable attempt
to ask for a reasonable response, and then lets see what the
response is Allison. I hope we don't have to have meetings every
second Thursday at 4:00.
Allison: At least we can see some progress, I'm just worried that
yaur going to leave it here and its just going to be and the
developer and its going to be spread here and there, I just see
this stretching out for quite awhile, and I'm really concerned that
we should take it upon ourselves and get it done, and have him
reimburse since he couldn't make it to the meeting.
Chapman: You said something about Health and Welfare inquiring.
Forney: Part of the State Subdivision regulations give direction
to certain organizations to do certain things, the Highway District
has jurisdiction over streets, the City has the process of
approving plats, Health and Welfare has the responsibility of to
check certain health factors, and in that list of health factors
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 14
one of them is porosity of the soil. Now that's a weak link here
I'm just telling you that in some State Statutes and in agency
regulations there is probably some rules that, I haven't read them
I'm just telling you there are some rules that address the porosity
of soil, and this appears to be a soil porosity problem.
Howe: Would we be able to obtain something form Health anal Welfare
do you think?
Forrey: Certainly, I think you should try, its not a City issue
at this point, I mean if you're interested you should follow
through. The geotechnical would certainly follow that through.
And I feel, and I agree with Tim of this, a soils expert that deals
with clay and moisture on a daily basis needs to be brought into
the picture now.
Bublitz: Who would that be do you know?
Burgess: Well there are several firms in town, in the valley, one
of them is ChenNorthern, Power Consultants, those are the two that
I
Bublitz: Do you know Rich Greico?
Burgess: I know of him, but I don't know him.
Bublitz: He is a soil tester
Burgess: He's a tester, but I don't think he is a geotechnical,
there is a little difference.
Forrey: We used Richard on the East 1st Street to do some testing,
fine man but I don't think he's a licensed P.E. You want a
licensed engineer, a geotechnical engineer. I think its worth
following through on the Health and Welfare regulations. I'll
prepare a letter to the Developer and I'll be happy to send a copy
to everyone. That's where we're headed. I wish we could turn on
a pump and suck it out but we're not there yet. Thanks for coming.
Yerrington: Is it a possibility that drain ditch is it cemented or
something like that? I guess it depends on what they come up with.
I'd rather have them leave it open but I don't know. Its a waste
ditch, picking up the water, we know how they all sit around and
grow cat tails all that kind of stuff.
Bublitz: Is there no way to get the water from that ditch into the
concrete ditches that the guy uses to irrigate to the west.
Burgess: Well the concrete ditch dumps into this ditch that goes
Drainage Meeting
October 21, 1993
Page 15
to the north also, it doesn't carry those back to the middle
Bublitz: Concrete ditch closest to Locust Grove
Burgess: The one that runs along east back lot lines runs back to
this middle point
Bublitz: But aren't you talking about the concrete ditch that
flowing to the west, the west side of the alfalfa field there. It
would be a flow east/west.
Yerrington: You said they are irrigating the Land this way
Burgess: I think this water irrigates this way and I didn't
venture out into this field you know ut I think since they've spent
money on a concrete ditch they probably irrigate all of it.
Yerrington: Well this waste ditch here does the water run this
way.
Burgess: Its at this point the water flows
Bublitz: From this concrete ditch here
Forrey: Yea it does, anymore questions? Okay thank you.
(TAPE ON FILE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS)
PECIAL DRAIATAGE MEETIIJG FOR CHATEAU MEADOWS #8 SEPTMBER 21. 1993
Wayne Forney: Do any of you know of friends or neighbors that you
thought would be here that aren't here? Should we wait a few
minutes or would you like to get started? Should we wait a few,
okay. A lady had called and asked about minutes and T usually try
and take notes and if any of you want my notes your more than
welcome to have them but I'll put this tape on too. You don't have
to come up and testify or anything, if should pick it up, but maybe
if we just take turns talking and talk loud it will get on there.
Then if you want a transcipt we'll make that available to you, it
takes four or five days to get it typed. But you can have my notes
after the meeting if you'd like.
Cracks and crevaces that have developed in the concrete ditch
and then just right now draining the surface water that is
there.
Forney: How recent would the irrigation have been in that ditch?
About two weeks ago.
Forney: So that water has been there two weeks, ten days.
Well his last irrigation cycle he hit - he fills that ditch
and irrigates that alphalpha field and this happened about two
weeks ago and he uses 3" pipes at about a hundred foot swaths
through there and he leaves them on in one area for 24 hours
then he moves on up the ditch. Then once he get's above that
diverter dam well then it just seeps through there until he's
done with his irrigation and then another time he get's it
through there is when the people around the corner want water.
Forney: John are you saying then that that ditch never drys out?
Tt's always got water in it.
Yeah.
Forney: Here I'm looking due north and Vern is this the ditch that
you voluntarily cleaned out? You did a goad job, you can see it
well. But what I noticed being out there, is that water
is not moving at all, it's just sitting there. According to the
maps -
It was dammed somewhere because I walked clear down to the
corner yesterday evening and they had a dam on it somewhere and
Where was the dam?
I don't know. I just walked to where you finished down there
at the corner.
Special Drainage Meeting
September 21, 1993
Page 2
It's around the corner, the one to the west. You went
straight north to the corner and that ditch continues west over
there, it's not a dam but there's a place where the water can't get
passed.
Forrey: A high spot. It's so flat out there I doubt it would take
much to do that.
Forty five minutes ago I walked to the same place and somebody
had opened that because it had drained off.
Forrey: There's no water here now?
Not very much, no.
When they were irrigating the property to the east of us
coming down that wastewater into that system right after he cleaned
it out the water was flowing no problem.
If you back up to the right of picture where you were standing
in grass that had standing water, that ditch there. I was in that
ditch a week ago yesterday and (in-audible) - super moist but no
standing water.
Forrey: No standing water, okay. So maybe this can be drained
then. Yesterday, like I say the photo and I watched for quite a
while and no movement at all in any of the weeds or seed that's on
the surface of that water right there.
That's quite a bit of water in it because after he'd cleaned
it out is was flowing without no problem.
Forrey: Now this is where, I'm just standing right at that
property corner looking straight down, that blue pipe that you see
right here, it looks like there's water coming out of it but it's
not it's a little decieving. But this is the blue pipe coming out
of the catch basin in the culdesac down between two homes and this
is the outlet. Here's a better picture to show that that's not
creating the water here. It's all backing up from that drain.
Here you see it and there's not any water dripping, this is all dry
right here. It's just backing up and then coming out this way from
the concrete.
That pipe, whether it be right, wrong or indifferent but
that's the way the pipe lays. Alright between my house over here
there's a catch basin, drain field that comes off the street in a
ditch.
Special Drainage Meeting
September 21, 1993
Page 3
Forrey: Let me see if I have that. Here you go. (Slide
presented)
Right in here and we're looking at the same pipe right over
here. Okay there's a drain field that there should have been
platted for the builder centerline, in other words there's another
box like this right over in this area that comes from the catch
basin on the street down between Murri's and my house into this
which is an emergency overflow. In other words, the drain field
they say is supposed to never overflow into this unless we had like
a hundred year flood or something like that. There should have
been a twenty foot easement in here to signal Mr. Mortensen, my
builder, because the corner of my drive is over that drain field.
If the engineering plat would have showed the builder that drain
field they wouldn't have been able to build this size of house on
that lot.
Forrey: This is a drain field approved by the Highway District,
installed by the developer to drain the street.
Yes. Then what it does, it comes down here, the overflow box
is over here which ties into here, then it goes down to Bob's
property and you've got the same situation on the next culdesac
over. Also there when they developed it, this box here is a live
ditch. They put, on that side of the fence when the property was
developed there was a live ditch and a waste ditch on that side of
the fence, so they had to maintain that. So this pipe from this
box goes up to Bob's place and intersects with the same type of
drain field between his house and his neighbor and then it
continues on up to the northeast corner and is also a waste
irrigating ditch of the field directly to the east of Chateau
Meadows. So there is, at some time, well several times during the
irrigating season there is irrigating wastewater coming down and
then discharging out into the pipe. At the time, the grade of this
ditch was at about this level all summer long and this -all this
water was laying in here and backfeeding all this.
There was a situation I'd like to bring up on that, there's
plugs in both those drainages. So the water cannot come out of a
drain field into the wastewater ditches. So water cannot go into
the drainfield either.
Forrey: I don't know the design of it, is that a ACRD
specification?
The plugs were put in as a temporary to isolate the irrigation
wastewater from the system. To see if the storm drain system
itself -
Special Drainage Meeting
September 21, 1993
Page 4
will the plug over here on my side was seeping all the time.
I have a f low of water most of the summer flowing back this way and
into this drain area.
Forrey: So I better understand here, in your crawl space was it
the entire crawl space covered with water or a portion of it?
No, the entire crawl space.
Forrey: Had anyone found a portion of their crawl space?
On mine there was only about a -
Forrey: And where was it in relationship to this? Is it closest
to this? Farthest away?
It's the southeast corner of my house.
Is there standing water in it or is it just wet?
On that corner of the house it was just wet. The rest of the
house had I don't know how many gallons of water under there, I
mean she was swimming in it.
So there was actually water on the surface.
Now is it correct that the water from the streets then was
flowing ultimately to the east?
Eng. Smith: No it's flowing to the north.
Farrey: North but then ultimately to the east.
Ultimately it's supposed to disappate between houses.
So it's flowing to the north and then where does it stop then
in this picture?
Between the two houses.
It just stops some place and is going out into a gravel field.
You could walk in this area and it was very spongy.
Forrey: But the rest of yard you could walk on normally. Here's
then I think the same situation between the Howe home and the -
here's the box but I never found an outlet.
Special Drainage Meeting
September 21, 1993
Page 5
From that box it runs to the east to an open pipe into that
hay field. Then it runs from that box down to that box that the
blue pipe comes out of, that is the discharge of that box.
Forney: Okay.
It runs from the east, through this box, to the previous
picture.
And the drain field on both sides of the house, this side of
the house over here was the deepest amount of water.
Forrey: Okay this is the Martinez and this is Howe and this is the
corner that was the most wet in your crawl space.
Right.
Forrey: And. right there is our drain field.
Right.
Forrey: I went out to the catch basin and there's been a little
drainage in the gutter, some grass clippings are washed into the
corner there. The bottom of that was just slightly damp, there was
no standing water in the bottom of that catch basin but 1 don't
know, Keith are they designed to hold water?
Keith Loveless: (in-audible
Forney: It was just a little dark colored, nothing real moist.
Dave Collins: It's a two compartment bay, pipes from this to the
top of the picture into the (in-audible) - and on the outfall side
the pipe is above the bottom of the catch basin. There normally is
some standing water in there.
Forney: So it would be normal then to look down in there and not
see water but you could see damp material.
Collins: There will be a little water.
The other one next to it there's a lot of water in it.
Forney: This is the last picture I took, this is on Locust Grove
at the South Slough and as you look back, visually you can see how
flat it is. This is the South Slough right here, all of this
ground is really wet, taking the picture my feet were in water, but
you can see how flat it is getting back to these homes. I guess
these are the homes we're talking about right in here. All of that
drainage
Glenn K. Bennett, P.L.S.
President
Timothy A. Burgess, P.E.
Vice President
P.O. Box 39
1530 W. State Street
Meridian, Idaho 83680
I"
~~""1
(208)888-4312
Fax 888-0323
October 20, 1993
City of Meridian
33 E. Idaho Avenue
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Re: Chateau Meadows No. 8
Deaz Mayor and Council Members:
As requested by Wayne Forrey, I have conducted an investigation regarding the crawl space water
problem in the area of Lots 21, 22, 23, 34 and 35, Block 9, of Chateau Meadows No. 8. My
investigation included observing the excavation of Test Hole #2 neaz the northeast corner of Lot 21,
Block 9 of Chateau Meadows No. 8; a back yazd topographic survey of Lots 21, 22, 23, 33, 34 and 35;
interviews with some home owners and builders; a review of the water usage records for the affected
lots; a review of the bore logs furnished by Intermountain Materials Testing; a review of the subdivision
plans; and a general reconnansance of the azea on the north end of East Lockmeadow Court. The
following is a summary of my findings:
est Hole #2 was excavated on September 30, 1993 at 2:30 pm by Bitterroot Construction. The alfalfa
field where the test hole is located was dry during the excavation. It had just recently been harvested so
it probably had not been irrigated for approximately two weeks. The adjoining ditch between the field
and homes on lots 21, 22 and 23 was dry. The pasture at the east edge of Lot 21 was damp where it
drains into the back lot line pipe. The back yards were dry and did not appeaz to have been watered in
several days. Water was flowing in the concrete lined ditch north of lots 33, 34 and 35 then north in the
ditch between the two fields. Mrs. Howe, owner of Lot 22, came out during the test hole excavation
and observed the hole before it was backfilled. We also installed a 4-inch perforated PVC pipe in the
test hole to allow further monitoring of the ground water table. Ground water was not present at the time
of excavation until a depth of 9 feet below existing ground surface. A white film of what appeared to be
calcium cazbonate indicates that water probably was present at a depth of 3.8 to 4.4 feet below ground
surface at some time. Wayne Forrey and I checked the water level in the monitoring pipe again today
and found that the ground water is still at approximately 9 feet below existing ground. The enclosed
survey drawing includes a detail of the test hole log for your reference. I have also enclosed a copy of
photographs which were taken during the excavation.
The back yazd topographic survey consisted of locating the existing homes, fence lines and property
lines along with obtaining ground elevations in the immediate azea. A review of this data indicates the
affected lots are relatively flat with approximately 1 to 2 feet of fall between the building foundation and
back lot lines
Civil Survey Consultants, Inc.
Meridian
October 20, 1993
Page 2 of 4
Allison of Gazland Homes, who built the home on Lot 22, Block 9, called me on September 29, 1993.
She indicated they started work on the home in October 1992 and finished in January 1993. Excavation
of the foundation occurred before October 31, 1992 but she did not have a specific date. She said that
they had very wet conditions during the entire house building process due to rain and snow. The ground
was either muddy or frozen.
Steve Bublitz who built the home on Lot 21, Block 9, stopped by my office on October 1, 1993. He said
they started work in January, 1993 and finished work in April 1993. The ground was frozen during
excavation of the foundation and remained frozen during much of the construction process. When it did
thaw it remained muddy until April. He said when the foundation was excavated they excavated through
the lot fill and root zone to native materials. He said the excavation was inspected by Meridian's
building department before the footings were poured.
Wayne and I also spoke to the owner of Lot 20, Block 9 today. He indicated that his home was the first
home built on East Lockmeadow Court. He built the house with the assistance of his grandfather
beginning approximately at this time last yeaz. He did not encounter wet conditions during construction
of his home. He did encounter some caliche on the northerly portion of his lot. He indicated that the
adjoining lots were covered with weeds during construction of his home and he did not notice whether
they were wet at that time.
I reviewed the water usage records for the affected homes in 1993 and compazed them to the water
usage records for my personal residence for the period of 1983 through 1992. I used the Howe's record
for comparison purposes since they aze experiencing the biggest problem and aze one of the highest
users, In general their water usage, subtracting the average use during February and Mazch as domestic
use, during the period of April through September is lower than the usage at my home on a per square
foot of gross lot area basis. Comparing usage on a lawn azea basis the Howe's applied approximately
11.6 inches compazed to 14 inches at my home. I do not have a water problem at my residence which is
located at 735 Hanover Court here in Meridian. I have enclosed a copy of a spread sheet summarizing
water usage at the affected homes and a spread sheet for water usage at my home for your reference.
A review of the bore logs furnished by Intermountain Materials Testing indicates that wet clay with
some sand was present in most of the hand augured holes. Some holes indicated the presence of
vegetation and odors at a depth of approximately 28 to 36 inches which would indicate fill to that depth.
Water was observed seeping into one hole at 2550 North Meadowglen Place.
The subdivision plans show a French drain located between lots 22 and 23, and a French drain located
between lots 34 and 35. These French drains are designed to dispose of storm run off by percolation into
the surrounding soils. They aze also connected to the irrigation drain along the northerly property line
which dischazges to the adjoining field drain. I removed the lid on the junction box located in the
northwest corner of lot 22 today. Bitterroot Construction had installed a test ball in the dischazge pipe to
prevent any irrigation wastewater from entering into the French drain. I removed the test ball to verify if
Meridian
October 20, 1993
Page 3 of 4
any water was present in the French drain. No water was present, therefore shallow groundwater is not
present to a depth of approximately 2 feet below existing grade as of today.
Wayne Forrey and I also conducted a general reconnaissance of the northerly end of East Lockmeadow
Court today. We checked the water meter boxes which service lots 21, 22, 23, and 24. The soils in the
bottom of each box were wet but there was no standing water present or indication that standing water
has ever been present. None of the meters were flowing water, therefore, it does not appeaz there aze any
leaks in the water service pipes between the meters and homes. I also checked the irrigation shutoff
valve boxes neaz the southeast corner of the Howe's home. No water was present in these boxes which
aze 4.8 feet deep. I also checked the westerly bore hole on the Howe's property for standing water. None
was present. The Howe's yard was wet and appeazed to have been watered today. There was one
extremely wet spot neaz the southeast fence corner neaz one of their sprinklers. Wayne and I also
observed the condition of the Howe's crawl space. There was no standing water, but the soil was
extremely wet and appeazed to be clayey materials. We also checked the crawl space of the home under
construction on Lot 24. No visible water was present neaz the crawl space access.
Based upon the results of my investigation, as outlined above, I have reached the following conclusions:
1. Shallow ground water (groundwater at or near the footing depth) is not present at this
time, and is therefore not currently contributing to the problem.
2. Soils in the adjoining field where no irrigation has occurred for several weeks were dry to
a depth of approximately 9 feet below existing ground surface. There aze free draining
materials in the azea below the clay surface materials.
3. Soils on the residential lots appeaz to consist mainly of impermeable clay materials to a
depth below the footings.
4. T'he residential lots aze relatively flat and not well drained.
5. The water use records do not indicate that lawn irrigation is excessive.
There does not appeaz to be a clear cause to this problem. In my opinion, the water problem is a
combination of several factors which include the presence of relatively impermeable soils; the possible
presence of a caliche layer (which has been claimed by Mrs. Howe but not confirmed in Test Hole No.
2), and relatively flat graded residential lots. The cumulative effect of these factors results in the
naturally occurring precipitation, and irrigation water not used by the lawns, not dissipating into the
surrounding soils which results in a constant moisture problem in the azea.
Meridian
October 20, 1993
Page 4 of 4
I am not a soils expert, and since this appears to be a soils related problem, I recommend that a
geotechnical engineer be retained to provide an expert opinion regarding the cause of the problem and
possible solutions.
Thank you for the opportunity to assist the City of Meridian on this issue.
Sinc ,
• , ~f
~/~~i~%Z~7~~
Timothy A. Burgess, P.E.
Vice President
enc.
.N
•~
~ ~
~ ~
~ ~
Q
Z
3 -''
~ C
C~
G
M
^~
i
U
`
~ N
~ O
h
to O
Of O
r
N O
00
(O O O a- O O
N I~ O aD
t0 CO OD ~ O O
ti
tD N
~
O O
~
N
N O
~ I~ ~ P ~ ~ O ~ OD ~ 61 ~ 00
~ ~ ~- r N C9 N N E
m 2
M ~
d
1~ Q
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0=j .s.. ~ 000 ~ COD ~ COD
3 ~ lh N N t77 d' M
O
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N w N ~ M
01
G O
~ ~- N ~f f~ O
r N N N
:• ::... :. .. .
w •::•::~ :•:;:•: •::•;:: •::ti :•::•:: • :t:.: • :~
H*~
C:
s+ 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
a O M N CO N st N O ~f
O N Cfl ~ ~ ~ Cp a ~ N
C C
l
0
E ~
s N
r2
>
::;:::
::
'fist:
fi*:
:..::t7: ;C~ : ;~:
:::::
:.::.
•::::
N :. .., . ... .... .......
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
c ~ o °
°O
o
t
~ ~
nc
n_~
v
~ O ~ t0 O !~ 1~ N
M V' f'~9 V'
m
L
P ~ iiY:~: ~:ti::i R:ii S:~i:;: •yti;: y:
:
:i
::j~:~ :;:{~: ti;:;i:~ :};:j• titi~: 4:;i:~ :~:;ii:
:• :
:
:
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
p w O ~ W ~ M N
~
O
D l~
~
d O
~ un CU 00 I~ f~ `00' ~ ~
~
3 # ~> O ~Y L7~
Ctk ~ ~'~'• ~' ~ '~ ~ . ' :. :fir : :>~ ~~ ~~~ ~~>~:
> >:~:i: ::>:::~> ::.:;.:. ...
O
M O O O p
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
r rn ~ n ro ~
~ G ~ -~ ~
'O N
m ~ l
7 :::: ::::r :::: :;:: ::;:~ ::•::::..
C Z` ~
c
~
R
y E ~
d ~
E
E
~ ~ ` ~ m
7 .~.. ~ N m
~
~
~ 11 4c Q ~L~~Qfn ~ Z O
0)
A
a
W
U'
W
W
Q
J
z
O
W
U
Z
W
W
W
m
1=
O
0
Z
O
W
F-
Z
W
0
W
W
H
}
W
Y
Z
a
U
0
F-
LQ
r
J
W
Q
M
r
0
Q
Z
w
0
W
0
v 0
~ 0
m 0
a\o ~
~'
r ~
~
r ~
~
r ~
~
r 0
w 0
~ 0
v 0
v
C9
o
~
o
~
o
N Y
o
tO0
o
~
ao
C~O
r
COO
o
~
o
O
o
CEO
u~
~
~
N
Q ~ ti r Lp I~
N O
M ~
N dD
N tp ~ ti CO
r r r
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
N O O O O O O O O O O O O
p~ I~ V? C7 'd: r eF ~ ~ tp ~ O O
Q ~ CO O M CD IC1 r CD ~O O O H
r' r N M Cq C9 N r
x 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
Q CO CO r CO ~ ~ N ~ r CD CD O
Q N CO CO ttj O f~ tp tCl CD ~ f~ O
r r N M M M N r
O O Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
O
O O
tp O
r O
r O
0 O
<O O
~ O
~ O
I~ O
I~ O
W O
CO O
N
O W O tp ch 0l (U tO f~ 0 0 0O ~
r r r r M M N r r
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
p~
CO O
I~ O
CO O
Ch O
st O
O O
r O
ti O
N O
~ O
r M
W M
C1
Q ti W ti O N O N CO M CO Q O
r' N ch N M t'7 r
O O O O O M cg O O O O O
Cp
Cp 0
<O 0
V7 0
~ 0
O 0
N I~
C? x
(D 0
~D 0
O 0
M 0
f~ 0
C7
01 ~ I~ ~ ~ M N M ~ P ~ ~
~
0
o 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
o
g o
o 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
~
CO N N CO O O V? O CD CD M V? M
01 O CO th LQ O CD N I~ r CD ~D 1~
r' r N ch N C7 N N
p 0
O
t 0
O 0
O 0
O 0
op
` 0
0 0
0
t p
0 O
0
tC! O
0
N O
0
' O
0
tp
CO
O1 o
(O ~
CO O
N CO
M Q:
~ O
~ p
W ~
~ ~O CO ~
CD I~
r r r N N N
M 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 pp
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
Cp V? N I~ to O r r r r t{) to 1{7
O O Cfl r O ~ ti '~' to CD CO CO CO
r' r r N N N N
~. 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
~ v_ r: ~ a~ co n r o ~ v_ ~ o
rn ~ ~ ~ v7
~ of N ao r a0 ~ 1~
r N N N r
M O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0 O
0
Cp f~ CD I~ r f~ O CiI ~ CD r O O
O Lp m CO CO of ~O M r sf M O W
~' N N N N r
~ ~ ~
x ~ Q
x F- ~ W m m
Q ~ cn w m ~ ~
~ Z m ~ a Q Z ~ ~ a ~ uu
[
> U
~ ~ ~ ~ Q a O Z ~
~ u. Q ~ i
rn
rn
0
r
r
m
rn
a
J
X
W
a
m
H
SPECIAL MEETING CONCERNING DRAINAGE PROBLEM AT CHATEAU MEADOWS #8
SEPTEMBER 28~ 1993
The special meeting was called to order by Wayne Forrey:
Members Present: Wayne Forrey, and other various property owners:
Forrey: We're a couple of secretaries short, last week and this
week. And I had thought that we would be able to get a summary of
everything we discussd last week in the mail to you, end it didn't
make it. I know you're here because you knew of the meeting from
last week. Thank you fro being here. We've done quite a bit of work
this past week looking at property, looking at the slides again,
talking to the Highway District, talking to the people that built
the subdivision in terms of the civil side the road, the drainage
system. We talked to some farmers that live up there, we talked
to some other engineers .involved in this project , just to get
their opinion of some similar situations that they encounteredin
their careers. We looked at the field notes on the construction of
the sewer lines and the water Lines in that area, spoke to a
landscaper that had ut in some things for homeowners. We just dug
and dug and dug, and based on that we decidedthat we needed a
action plan. Som specific things we need to do. And everyonewe
talked to said that we're missing some information. Same key
information, and so we put togethor a plan here that I think will
give all the information that we have to have in order to get a
solution. And then from that I can guarantee to you the city wil
enfore whatever that solution is. Because as we found out Last
week properties being hurt by this water, the presence of this
water is damaging the property. And that's why people live in the
cities, is for protection, and that's the whole reason exist. So it
calls upon us to ensure though that whatever the solution is it is
enforced like a traffic law or traffic violation., same thing. It's
not a comfortable position for us to be in to be kind of a
subdivision cop, so to speak,. but there is a problem to solved, so
let me walk through what we think is a plan of action here. I
think everyone recognizes the area, these are the, based on our
information these six lots at the end of the culdesacs appear to be
most affected by the ground water problem. We have one existing
test hole, test hole ,~`1, that was done under the supervision of
Huble Engineers, because they're tring to develop this property,
right here. Lastly we talked about this concrete ditch and the
drain that was cleaned, smaller drain right here that seems to have
water in it, maybe not all of the time, but
Drainage Meeting
September 28, 1993
Page 2
it's perinally wet, it appears looking at the vegetation. Okay
based upon our evaluation of a solution here and getting enough to
create a solution, one thing the city is going to do at city
expense is dig another test hole somewhere in this area right here,
near the northeast corner of the subdivison. We have the
permission of Mr. Vern Alleman, he was the farmer that was here
last week, it's actually owned by the Brown family and Vern is a
contract farmer, but they've left a lot of these kind of decisions
to him, because he is the one who has to work with land. He has
given us his permission we're also contacting the Brown's, we
don't see a problem getting on the property.. We've already hired
a backhoe operator it's Bitteroot Construction, Bi11 Cook I think
is his name, he's ready to go to work tommorrow, to dig test hole
#2.
Property Owner: Is he going to leave that hole open?
Forrey: Yes it will be left open.
Property Owner: Because they closed this other one
Forrey: And also, if the engineer decides we will put a perferatd
pipe for an ongoing observation and Leave that open., These symbls
right here.
Property Owner: How deep are they going to go?
Forrey: I don't know Dave it's up to Tim .Burgess. The city has
also retained an independant consultant not related to any of these
developers out here or homeowners not ivolved with anything in the
city. As far as land develament is concerned we think he is a good
independant authority. Tim Burgess is going to be there tommorrow
if we get the permission from the Brawn's, I think we will, to tell
Bill Cook the excavator how deep to go how wide to make it when to
start when to stop. If he needs a perferated pipe etc.. it'll be
under his jurisdiction and his authority. We contacted the
developer Interwest Development, Leon Blazer, and. asked him if
would retain Collins Engineering, Dave Collins, the gentleman back
there, to hand augur at some point where Dave Collins feels is most
appropriate maybe it's 2 or 3 per block, I don't know it's up to
him, but to hand augur an observation hole on each of those
affected lots. And maybe there is other lots these are just the
six that I'm personally aware of any by comparing them to the
data in test hole #1 and #2 in each of these observation holes we
then will have enough
Drainage Meeting
September 28, 1993
Page 3
information to make,
nutshell .
to actually identify a solution. In a
Property Owner: If as you discussed last week, the general flow of
direction is to the northwest was their consideration given to
third a hole that an that property there.
Forrey: We did contact the owner and we have not received
permission. And so our thinking was this was an as good a location.
and besides it gets us really coke to the ditch here ad that by
itself right should give us another set of information in terms of
this ground water porblem.
Property Owner:. What is that exact location?
Forrey: This is on property that would be northeast of Chateau
Meadows $8 taht is eing farmed by Mr. Vern Alleman. Owned by the
Brown family. Vern farms it by contract. Here is the actions we're
talking about in a nutshell. It's got to be a partnership approach
the city is going to start this. First thing we're going to retain
a contractor to dig test hole #2, and we've done that it's
Bitteroot Construction. We're going to retain Tim Burgess of Civil
Survey Consultants independatly not associated with the project,
we've hired him to do this he's ready to go to work tommorrow, he's
going to monitor test hole ~2 and he's going to prepare a detailed
topography map of the area, and I don't mean in one foot but I mean
in inches. He's going to tell us on that map exactly what's
happening around the surface that we have there today. Now the
developer needs to do some things, oh by the way we're going to do
that tommorrow the 29th of September. Okay we've asked the
developer to do some things right away and have them done by
October 1 this Friday, and that is to retain Collins Tngneering to
hand augur a four or a six inch whatever he feels is an apprpriate
hole in the affected lots i~ the rear or the side yards and that
then would provide some critical cross information because we have
.holes on either side of the drain ditch we have holes next to the
home. We should know static water level the lenses we should know
all kinds of information from those holes. Naw we're asking the
builders to do something in this too. Between now and this friday
uTe want builders to provide to Tim Burgess of Civil Survey any
information that they have that they can recall when they
constructed those homes. What the site conditions were like how
much fill they if they
Drainage Meeting
September 2, 1993
Page 4
recall, what kind of soil they encountered, was it raining when
they built the foundation, was it snowing, give us the information
to help Tim Burgess plug into his mind as he deciphers all this
information. Now, we need that by friday the homeowners here have
some responsabilities, a couple of things that we need. We need
your permission to allow our representative Tim Burgess to get on
your property, or his field people, a surveyor, He is going to
have a survey instrument or a Philedelhia rod that takes an
elevation. And secondly Dave Collins of Interwest development will
need your permission to let them get on your property to hand augur
a hole. Now if you don't give us permission it hampers our efforts
to solve this problem and I think it would be in your best interest
to have this small hole on your property. Then I can assure you
that we should with this information we will identify the problem
and a prevention action and then the city will enforce that action.
And so I'm thinking by friday, maybe by friday afternoon or by the
weekend, by the first of neat week we will know what problem has
been where the water is coming from and solve it. Any questions?
Property Owner: How deep are you planning to qo, above the hard
pan or to it?
Collins: Well I haven't entered with the augur yet, I'iI
determine how thick it is and it's the least damaging to the
property, it'll take out a little sod clump and we'll start
drilling, one foot at a time. Hopefully we won't get any rocks,
and if I get through the hard pan.
Property Owner: I was concerned if you'd get to the hard pan,
Collins: The observations are at what depth you hit water and if
you_aan get through the hard pan or not.
F~operty Owner : I thin] you need to stop at the hard pan that .area
sar you really have a perched water table.
DISCUSION CONCERNING DEPTH OF HCILES
yar~~: I'm thinking about everyones, practices. watering: or wi~at
ge~u'~+~ dging at home you ci't want anything. to ch,~ng~ `between now
aaDd~ f ~.~c'k~y; ~ and' when ~+ , , i' r®- Out there cond~,ct your 1 i f e
atorm~lly:
Drainage Meeting
September 28, 1993
page 5
Collins: In a couple of days you might not detect, just keep up the
same watering patterns and everything that has been going on for
the last two months.
Property Owner: I haven't watered in about 20 days. One day I
used the sprinkler system and shut it down.
Collins: Did you notie any changes?
Property Owner: No, I did shut it down for a two week period.
Collins: If you haven't watered in 20 days and it's still staying
pretty cool. It'd be nice if the homeowners could write up little
dialogue about watering, last four of five weeks.
Property Owner: How do we get ahold of Tim Burgess?
Collins: I'll give you his number, it's Civil Survey engineers,
afar .the meeting.
DISCUSSION ON LOCATION OF PROPERTY OWNERS
Forrey: If you'll give permission to Dave and the city we'll have
a surveyor out tommorrow.
Property Owner: For public record, you have permission right here
and now.
Forrey: Any other questions? Here is Tim Burgess's phone number
888-4312. Any other questions?
Property Owner: Are you going to leave that hole open?
Forrey: Yes, they will probaby put a perferated pipe in there.
Well, okay, you should have something by monday or tuesday. And
I've got everyone's name and .phone dumber and mailing address for
all the homeowners, we+11 get you the results. Or We could meet
again it's up to you, whatever you want.
Property Owner: By mail is all right, for me with winter coming
time, is of tie essence. I noticed it backed in April, and now that
we're at the tail end of irrigating season now we're going to work
it should have been the middle of the summer.
Drainage Meeting
September 28, 1993
Page 6
Property Owner: Well maybe after we get the letters we can meet
Forrey: Sure, the letter can suggest the time of the meeting.
Alright let's expect a letter in your mailbox by tuesday or
Wednesday of next week.
Property Owner: Should we get all the addresses togethor.
DISCUSSION OF NAN~ES AND ADDRESSES
'fey: Thank you for coming.
ACTION PLAN FOR CHATEAU MEADOWS No. 8 -PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
CITY ACTIONS
Schedule -Commence and conclude on Wednesday, Sep 29.
1. City to retain Contractor to dig Test Hole #2.
2. City to retain Civil Survey Consultants to independently monitor Test Hole
~2 and prepare a detailed topography map of the area, foundations and
drainage facilities.
DEVELOPER ACTIONS
Schedule -Commence ASAP and Complete be Friday, Oct. 1
1. Developer to retain Collins Engineering to hand auger a 4° or 6°
observation hole in all affected lots (rear or side yards) to provide critical
information.
IiUII,DER ACTIONS
Schedule -Now until Friday Oct, 1
1. Provide information to Civil Survey Consultants regarding site conditions
that were encountered during foundation constriction and site
improvements.
I30MEOWNER ACTIONS
Schedule -Urgently needed today!
1. Grant permission to City to allow Civil Survey Consultants to get on
personal property and shoot elevations in back and side yards.
2. Grant permission to Interwest Development/Collins Engineering to allow
hand anger observation holes in rear and side yards and return as needed to
record field data.
City, Developer, Engineers and Builders have all indicated they will help
identify a solution to this problem. The data from Test Holes 1 8c 2 plus
the homeowner observation holes will identify the problem and a prevention
action. The final answer will be enforced by the City of Meridian.
'~ _'•_ ~~ _ rr '= : _-_ __ss~+i:. _ _i4_~__ -ao_ss. -_ 00 • ~4__~u 1 00 • ~_T~ 1
~~ ~~ ~' l••1 l7' PI: • O • m •~fi I
~~., ~ ~ i~
._7 ~~~ ~ w ~•• mw m A ~fZ •y'~
~, 3.~ ~ ~ '~bt2 m £L~z b~tz s'tz 1~tz Ott ''~7~'~ l
i - _ -,
-- ll!//Q9 AIpOO~ftI~07.9
II ~fi~ ~~ N,.ao.rP.oo IIW
I1 ~~t
oZti+.E` '~ 'LtZ d%~Z g$iz ZfrtZ J'~ . M .o•gzc --ha
~M.~ • L ~~
~IW QQ~O ~~~0, Ow O~ gw ~ "'~ N w,
aI~ •ry'O O O O .s O a M ~ M.20.TE.00 ~I
I~ ~Y ,
ml V ~ s = $~~~ e~aa vl ~p q I ~
oo•sc oe•oss oo•ot ao-oc oo•Qt " ~•oe ~/ I `
oo'sc oa•sst oo•sc oo•st oo•cc Op•08 ~~~ .•
o I IW '_ ~ _. N s''
• oo•esi
~ ~ ~i~ oho ,~ ~ O e ~ o N °o r ly 00•BfT
w. ~ ~ ° h -W- H.EO tE.00 N
w w '~
3 Q ~ ~ m w ~V O~ ~ ~
~~ ~ I •e•.`rz <<~ $!sz 862" b~bZ h ;~
t TM ~~ w ~ ~ W i2.W W2Z
1, ~ • • ••
=~ IV~9f ~~'~ t/1~'IY ° a ~7 ~V ~ ~ ~ n °0 0 0 ~ n a
wl ~ . ~ .. _.~~~~ ~~w~_ _ y Z PI m w PI PI Dl m
..~ 68 OY2 3.B-.9Z•00 N b= O N PI o w 17 ~ 1'1
I l~ ~ a ~mm olinin
f fOPI mww
j l t8 . ~' ~ ~~'S'z. ~~ = L9ts2 z ~ . z z z m m w of
" Lf-SZ
I) .~ A~ .e ~w fw ~ NmOfmNrfmH01
.i6 •.t DwOmNWf(00
~~® ^ •~ •~ ~w V pwwff NplOf
~I ti~ ^ eo O a ~ . 3
It ~ V FPINNPImN wm O'
I t 00•Q/, ~ ~• T 00•~ ~ 00•QL 00•~ m 1n O m m f N w .-
I GO.OC 00 • B0 00.0E 0 ' B0 m l~ m m m Ill f n ••
.i. ~ Orf r , ~ ZN NNwIDNN•
II m o o w n
o • oo ~
~ • r
n n N m o m o o f I0 ~
°w~ll e e o Ol~ V a~rnmommoomfc
` ,1 w w O w ~~ NPINwf 00 ~'•G
1Lr/7-./ a mwwpf Pl tOmffr
~ Z~9z ~sz %osz z
WNNWOwfww0000ww0 ~ m
NNOO NPIww000000w ^ n
'3116 3J0/!/eD//I7'AI ~ ~ ~ooooo00000
_ ___ f ~'m O f O H N p O Q O m m m O m O O o O O O O O o 0
m"•~ ~ ~t•Oppm (YNNpNNNNNf w m •,~
OQ G02 3.lG.G2.00 N m ono 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
» ° f w a p a a n o m m
ao
~ ~_
/~ s = ~~ s1~~.I=-° i2WlLLiSiiWW~$!iW W W
0 4 O o O m m m N N N m m 0 0 ID m f• m• m
OI• 11yy 0/ N O Ill m QI m Ill m Y7
t~ O1Q Oo~ ~ 0 0 0° 2 t'I OI f f f f 0l Pi p rl Q~~ f 0 p q < w w Q O Pl PI w ill N ill
~ _ hl~ - ~filpn fl PI _ ~j tf Q m m O m m O m m n w n~ YOI n o I.IDr • ~ J afi n vOi N N N s p1 N o
HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A Good Place to Live
OFFICIALS COUNCILMEN
WAYNES.FORREY,AICP,CityClerk CITY OF MERIDIAllT ROBERTGIESLER
JANICE LASS, Treasurer RONALD R. TOLSMA
BRUCE D. STUART, Water Works Supt.
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney 33 EAST IDAHO MAX YERRINGTON
JOHN SHAWCROFT, Waste Water Supt. ROBERT D. CORRIE
KENNY BOWERS, Fire chief MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642 Chairman Zoning & Planning
BILL GORDON, Police Chief Phone (208) 888-4433 JIM JOHNSON
GARY SMITH, P.E., City Engineer FAX (208) 887-4813 Centennial Coordinator
PATSY FEDRIZZI
GRANT P. KINGSFORD
~~p,,,~~ ~ Mayor
~~~~ ~ Id~
Q'~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~t ~Ul, 14 September 1993
~~~
Deb ~`-'
The City of Meridian is concerned about reports of
groundwater in your area that is seeping into crawl spaces.
We have contacted vario~sx..,.and engineers and
property owners to re?~~ th~s qua sand we believe that
~..
it is necessary to,;~"" du~ a Ufa ~ f 'l~di,~4.,~neeting with
involved partiesN,,~~ b ter understand b.s°xroblem.
nF
We have s`le ~d a meeting at Merida. .,~kity Hall on
Tuesday Septen~er 1, `"~~~rx~g, t ~k re~~.ew this
situation andd~,~liscusso tl.gns . ~~ Please attend:, and help us
find a reasoible so tin t this ob~em. Thank you!
:r
r~{,
~,.
x= Resp~ctfull
"° Cityl of Mer~.ian
~~
~y3~
~,
~'h~,,.
Wayr~~. S . rr~orrey, AICP
Plan>~ +~~7irector
~w~ r.:, cg~.k
x:.~,~
P.S. If you know youf~~uilder.. ;~.~1.ease invite them to
:::.,.v.,.:
this meeting if possible . °~° ' .° :°~ ~~`'_ ~~
"1 , --~
PHONE MESSAGE MEMO
Talked with / / ~ Date i ~~ ` 3 Time ' `~'~ p.m.
Of ~ ' ~~~IG ~ ~ ~'~Q'' Phone No. ~~0 ~ ~J? ~ Z
t
~~ddro..l
~YLe~c-cG~~urt.. Gl/ -cy.
Re ~~
^ I placed call L'_f Pony called I returned call -
My ^ message reply ~ ~ - .f^"/~ ~~iul~•~C.B L1dL!/l. ~~-14
Gam. ~s/~,o~.~`' !~'rc-t.~ . ~ a~,ao y~.lk.~~t. ~.-~'' l~.v~.~r t~.a~.~ a%~~cra-~
.l/.a ~' ~ ~-ka-
Party's I-`~ meSSag@ ^ reply ~ ~ ~ ~ o , ~ w
~ ~
1 ~
. -- . 6 ~. .
~. ~ --
- ~ ~~~ •
' ~ °I~ Z ~ ed !~ `~w~~d.. Grrr~tZ 2~
/~.a,. • ~~a~e .Grp-/+rc.aL a,L~" ,.~ ~-,~. rrticG~.t.~.~~k. .
Action or follow-up necessary ' •~
~~
~g a ~~c~a- ~o.nf ~ ~~ ~?u:~'~r> mr A-moo-,~
Project
Project title
^ Place in
.~,tcrr~-fi~~i- ~j~t~i-.
~~rrrx.. ~~+~,yol.Gt~ w~.o ~~ w~-~.~~.c.
'~-
-~
r • ~y l~-@-~ct-d ~U c~6i ~l ~ n yv~, ~.. ~.0 ~ Zl ~~- / +" ~fJ a~Gy ~.. ~•t,
Gy~t %z. r1 C2aw~ ,R~-a.ee, _ ~ G,1 a~.~r ~ ,~, _/~~.P.~r rbv_~ ~ ---__--
--__.
GIT~ ~+~-Pir~v~ q
_.... 2• Ta,Lk~¢-d. ~ L~'~e~~ 6°~ye GO f ~ 2 - /J'~-lc • 9 --~ G~a-~,1..~-
-- ~-~ ~~i -a-~ .~ C.il'a~r yr ~Q~ ~ ~ ~g T 'off ~~_t,
~ ~ S~..f~ cEa~ttu~ `~."-iva7 r
--R.~ ~uw•.- .~.,~. ,~L..e ltiaa.t,~lo ~-a..~.e...~-~-ca.. ..~~ ~-d _ f~au,ed
s G~r~di~, - ~E'~o~e.~R,µ,. k.~.~i-~ ~-{~.- wu~ .mow -tA.l-P~d
(~} f _ ~~r "' ~G1.Q~.~ Ti1ni. r~1~Y' ~LL.~T~1M- L I w "~- ~~.~ L~1 . dl ~~.
________.__ y, _ _.
~._ Cn.a.~- ,.¢~a~ •_~ ,/_e~ ` _ a _ ~`~n.~u-~it. ~.~. a rp~•~.ltCt r 1 ti%u~• I~-,eat~
~_-__,
~ ~ F, ~-~ Cl ~, to f-• ~ ~ - ------ ~' 1Ze /~ _ w.~G.. U/~
0 ~~~-G'~~ y~~fiy . ~y~,o ~Ltty,~.i.H. q ~9~.+-f"' ~Gta ~H.or~ .~'~Gc~ l~t~t7 L/'~~
w.r c_.~ N,;,,.. ,~ ~~rrr~,c., • Gt G~/~~ lei- ~, ~-
A `~
,__ _ .~ _____~~,____ ~ `'tOA.~ ~i1/.t-7~ 6~P'?,~yt-EIS ~ ~i`t.a~Gayt, .~tGaQ. f1..~ ~j~f''~
_~_ .-°~-_ vh ~
_._ _~.~;
-`-~
~ - - - ~ --
t ,_
r
_____.___ ~' ~~ C~
rl
_._. dt,2lr_6 ~a~ 7rr~Y" ~~ vt1.e.~~t~v' ct r ~ ~A~~~,~
~, dil.-u~%~..0~,
2p Oda,.Q f~'~ ~7(~rv` ~/~`-~iZ fir
~.
_.~ rvk c-~e~c_ a~-c~rw~i.e Q,f- ~ia. lil. w . C~v~+.¢1, . 7Zwj- '~'-a-~l~cd'
~. ~.e. Lcru~Y ~...- ~~.e. d~.a~, a.L.rrh.r~ ~ Lod- ~~
.~~ Z l __~ ~ (it,~-q /Uiw~-~.-e.d ~.,c ~~.GQ ~ r~v'L~L l~I.yl .
Q ~ W U `~ WIw V W~a `/ V
n N .. s N r N g O [A fOq W • W • O g q W G ~J yl a a N N N W 1 a> •O ~. q'. Y~. (~
~WVIgNNgOra~ m m OOO YtO JI tllmmOl OlmOmmM 8
tflN (pr W W Oq•~•~1 q •t1 •gaaRRgqW Wa aaa W W2 ~ 110 OO ` OO
IJ1m tAmm~gONm m • •m amm • OOmmNNNmmmO OO O . O .
• m ni •aiss$a~rnnisaxsrnmss s~2fOT! ZSZ'~ ! ~•r = 1'S8~
y o ~ r~
ID fD tl1 to to tli tll q r a > W • ~ 00 • ~ • Sl_ E 263_.30 m , .
OOOODOOOq OGM m r aNUfNN NAfNN mggq•i~ ~~~~~ ~ ~~~
0000000000 m o gmmgq~q~voaomaa~ p•Li3f/Q~pp/OGE 4YF. ••
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 V V r 0 0 0 0 0 0 r r W N O O N N V
m a O r r 0 0 0 0 r r a r O W N N P1
z o zso~ zs3¢ ~z mm ~~
~a0101WagrrCl M~ rm O •• rm , I
~ r W 0 0 arN WN O a• O I'p
~amooe~momV~ A giu
7Q/a0omgmNV ~ O~ C OC O 00 ~ O 00, O;b
0
• N W W r N M W~ ~ C a ~~ ~ 68.00 70.Q0 66.00 70.0011 .
. r .~ a g W m o~ v m 73.00 5.00 w 78.00 a .O6 79.00 11
' rNaIOgOWm7~ ^ Z.
~ ~ 1~ .
,pmr VqW VNW O = ~= Z II
O ~ a a O ~ (~•• ®1~
~I 4~ O W O O ~'; I~
r pI g N a a r r q ~ r 1 ~~ rO a S~•, I I
mplmWmNWQ!
OOf a WNgOrq ~ m m
10 VggNOlqmN ! ! ~~ ~~~ ~~ 9~ N I
m to m m 2 2 2 ~ = Zg67 ~~ ~, 9 •` ` ~• `~~ I I
Wtr110 mma 0 ~ J IIr
W a W r O W N O y~ ~~~ N cc•ag•~x•e aao,ea ~~~~~~ O 11..
mmW W••m W 2
~ m : ~ m °a nqi ~ m ~ N ~" N o /V~ M E14DoW 6{.EN P'l• ~~~/// ~+~
ssm mss m ~ ~ ~D~ ps I1~
• ~ Nv y= 2464 ~Q$ ~/~ .~Za~~es•FII ~~
^Iz m
M • r
N oo•ai•08•E `•'~ dog o • _ ° /~~/~, ~ • ~
O O W O W p ~ ~y,1~ 4
1!8.00 A m oO O ~ • s V1~J -~1
asa.oo ~ , ~ ~ ~II°o m
~""I~• .., , ~~ eo.0o ~ 73.ao 79.ao 79.00 sas.eo 73.00 11
' I,~ ^1 ~ ao.w 79.00 70.00 7s.oo aao.eo 79.00
1{ J I sue ~~we a ~ II
I N ~ ~N ~z a z
} I ase.oo ~ ~~ N ~ m °~~ ~~ ~1~
~ oo •za • oa w ~ ~ ~ O ;; m O `;~! ~) to
p O ^~i
~~ ~ S
~1 W 2!•4L 2lSS ZJ~ ! Zf7le .. ~ ~,',',2~ ~I
n~~ ooaai oa••N ~~i q~t~Q II
X11 ~' __~ N 00'~'~'E 300.78~~_~~__ ?. 1~
to '~}-- j ~
3 i I ~ w _ E. ~owwsacolr a~uAr I r
~1:
I 6~ ~ ZlS7 Z~lo~ 2!65 Z1lo9 2173 m "e o..~.e I I
py~ '' o
~~J• Z~ ~-•` m r r~ r r~ 21Y~y~- Z)9~ a,p~~ ^1
'~ ~ ~ I~
I 24' nnq ~ N '~ y+- a - V •- m - -- m -- m---o - • d~ O ~ I A •
A
..,
-~-
~' -,
RT
.RT
RT
RT
R?
R1M
GG ~ C-3
R-8 R1
v V
~-srsroe RS
RT
RS
e
1
.....
~.
~.
.._,
• ~--
i
RT
R1
'~ •R8
I ~ .--- -
MSION
i
-'~ ` RT
L-O
n~uRE
~i
eus~Ness
cEN-
~ww..mmawN.-m Z .00 85.00 63.00 ES.OL -
N N NNN22NN2z NNZ222 1
V •~ N V m W fA m m m 0 m m V W W m m m m m m 0 0 0 W m m m O m O fmD ~ O mIr ~ mW O
n N m W m a r m W N N m m •• O O m N m m m m 0 0 0 0 m m m M m m
O N • L N • N m ~ w m • •• • O ~
a N W [A m N N m 0 a r m • m • O tl1 m 4t W .I W a a N N N m a a D (~ W m W~{°11 • O
0001010 AIAmmmmm Omm>7 ~ W(A ~1 11
cnNN ~ W W Om••••D ~ '~ n .. •O NO m0 m, ^ ^! _
•maAJ~QgmWWaaaaW W2 ~O VVX
NmIAmNmmONm m m amm•j .1~0OmmNNNmmmQ OO C° ~O ` OO
• AI • •m •mii~i$mmiiiimmii ^Z i i O i
6 a , 26oT ?.arl9 2~7' 258/
~NNminmmmm..as o fit" r~
~oooooooomow N ~ __~ N 00'2B'97•E 289 90 m ,
07 aNNNNN NNN mmq[A-i~
~oooooooooo~ m o mmmmaa~i.l.loaomaasA7 -- - ---
~ooooo00000 ZZ ~ N.LAI/GHR/OGE 4VE.
V V~ •.000OOOrr WNOONNCf V '
m a O•~•~0000•••-a..OWNNm r ww
;o~lmtooa°°.°.~`m N ~ D
N W N M N m O m m /~ ~ O
O a N O O m m O m V~ ~ ~ O m O m O m I ~~ a ~
OmLOOmtAmN Vn ~ 4!~ t0W u W GW 10
~ ~ N 00't~•Sl•E O m m o
1i1~WiaalNUmmVe~ C 140 QO ~ y
. .. N n m W o{~ m ~ 3 ° 79.00 79.00 ~ 69 ~ 00 70.00 1 ! . ~ 8.00 70.09 I ~ = D
~aom~VmW V111W~ O ~ Z 79.00 II 21 m
~0 00 z °z z 4 If ~ ~ m
~ y ~ a' m.. O rn.. O roo O 0. Ito ~• O (~ N
NAmtANLar..m f~~ (I~ WN N WN WN S fy~' IIO ~7 y -'
N•+mmmWmNW mm~ J, WN WN Yi /4S•• N I10 r O
m OmA OINmOr (_~t ra •am m ~•if I ~, ry
mNVmuNmNmN ~ m 25~ 2547 g~ a I z ~
NNm mzz z ~ Z ~ vv•
wliro mmm°a° a i J V 9 ^ vBL 9 ~~ ~ m 0 cN7 D
o ~ Z
me1Wi1 ~m ~¢{p1 Z (n a. ~____ N 00'26'42'E 280_83 _ It=momo -'~• ~~,, 3
N[Ar QOO m9 w ~ ~~ , aM • O O
mmm V m u N WW _ ~ ~ ~ ~ NON N1 M ~~W ~~IV ~. Aw W ~ ~ m ~ Z
.. m ~ 0
::m miz n; = ~ ~ vW = ~ NS' I~mO tOH y
n1J (/~ 2469 ~70' ~~O _ 1 '~~e9• II ~ N Z l7 ~ ~•
W~ 00 'n't,2 m m m 2S4Z °$•>e e m ~ O ~ L
-~ m~ ~~ ..m ~m m .zs~ m ~ ~ a Z C~
N 00'21'02'E ~ ~ ~A o o ~ o rv '- W +o I ~ O
' 118.00 ~ `; ° 1^'0 ° m e ° m O m tv O m ~,,, i ~$ ~ > ~ a
iiB.00 • ~1 m m ~ d+ u a Z
m
o "~ ~ ~ BO.00 79.00 79.00 79.00 119.60 79.00 I I Z 0 m
I N ~ ~ ' so.oo ,~ 79.00 70.00 7s.oo iSO.BO 7s.oo ~ ~ D
° I~ q Ir REAR L 1 NE z° Z = Z 2 2 I I y .
5!8.00 1 ~ ~ ~ m ~ y4 ~ Im r n
00'21'02•k Q I'J '~ Nm m ~ ~ ~~ Nm ~ ~ W V N ~ ,. N y~ ~ C a V J
^~I . ti ~., ----I
o~~ .P ~ ~ m m m z~188 : ~i I ~
,,• ~ z
zt4~ s z~58 ~~ s z17~
~~~- 526.6, W ~ 1. ~, ~ Gl3.'7 w I ti
! 27 <
ni Is o0•21•o2•~N ~~ ~~ I
~II n ~ ~~~„__ ___ N 00.28'12•E 300.78_~~-~_- i~ ~ O
~I t s`-~ ~ _ V" ~ E. LOCf~A00iY COt/RT Z N I Im c .
~~
o~~~ db~~~ 2l5T : Z~~o~ m 2Jf~5 N Z1~o~ N 2173 N a >>BO'o>.E I)
° (~s 264' m Mm ..m ..m ..m ~18S' Z)97 o2s~
~4Z' m sW !~ OW OW
m W ~ + Q~
II O N1'; Vm V•. Vr. Vr ~ d`, N _ 11110
$4' ~ j to M, v ~ m m m •~ h
-SS3-oo ^~-~.oo - -is-oo _ _'~,"s-oo - -3s.bo = __ -- _- ~=~5,. J
139.99
8 O'26'42'N
BB3.siN / ~ z r„
~s0~ ~ ~r ~~~p ~tDa~S~1 ->io~nr=y QijmZ~ c'~c
r z~ ~~ m c ~m~m Z t..
~7~a ~ T• ••_1 3 •+m m~ o~a~m '~~<C ^lix"r''' ~yrN Q
Z r0 rAmo3: m~mnz -+ o>or aso""~
~~=`I ~ -°+m c~z ~~~ > zz°mo-°1~ h=, •cr~G o~zr~. >>mz.~. ~ ~
1201 ~ mp o sD ~zs~M ...«~N„Z,1 mi.~w zrmZ c~mmn (T~
Z~~~ O .I+T• ~FstiN~ 2-~~<O „°..sN ci°r+ Ssm~ c~'.+ (n '~ 1
2 Z -1O -+00fl1 tm -.Z C~< m <f/J «•mrN Zyp<
N M -1 MM~ rMN MxN Q mD ..1 t17O m
O C ttl tq •. z c g N~ o ~ -+ o o .~,, > r• s < m .. n -~ ~ (~
inn ~ -+~ tom m ~nszG7 ~-"'i>.. nsiZ ls~oais ~n<c~ ft-
a~~~ ~ MO) wr-~.1 oozwl m~io •+t° '~»..x ~timsm
a~y0 ~ N ~1N~ izna~~N ~°a~g g~i siN ~m~2 ~~ -~
fw fli~il-+p «Z.n>m .rNCi rN mN sxtA
0""1~~ < 1°~Z M~'w~ ~PIOA fq N 1= •Iar
yf~_ Z MNx C9MM M>.~ W 20 Z~ N 2 ,~
.~ N V~ n w .r L T .... T,
PUBLIC MEETING SIGN-UP SHEET
NAME: PHONE NUMBER:
~~~f~
~~~ ~67~
~~~ ~~s~
?/ ~Z~
~,q-- 12~ /~' ~ ~-~~ ~'~~ '733
~/ /~ J
per, COUNTY AREA, IDAHO
About 70 percent of the complex is Power silt loam,
and 20 percent is Potratr silt loam. The rest is McCain
silt loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes; Rock outcrop; Sebree
silty clay loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes; Scism silt loam, 2
to 4 percent slopes; and Trevino extremely stony silt
loam, 5 to 20 percent slopes.
The Power soil is very deep and well drained. It
formed in loess or silty alluvium that is underlain by
basalt. Typically, the surface layer is pale brown silt loam
about 6 inches thick. The subsoil is pale brown, yellow-
ish brown, and light yellowish brown silt loam and silty
clay loam about 21 inches thick. The substratum is light
yellowish brown and very pale brown loam to a depth of
60 inches or more.
Permeability of the Power soil is moderately slow. The
root zone extends to a depth of 60 inches or more. The
available water capacity is very high. Runoff is medium,
and the hazard of erosion is moderate.
The Potratr soil is moderately deep and well drained.
It formed in loess that is underlain by basalt. Typically,
the surface layer is light brownish gray and pale brown
silt loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is yellowish
brown silt loam about 9 inches thick. The substratum is
light gray and white silt loam and loam about 19 inches
thick. It is underlain by basalt. Depth to the bedrock
ranges from 20 to 40 inches.
Permeability of the Potratr soil is moderate. The root
zone extends to a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The availa-
ble water capacity is high. Runoff is medium, and the
hazard of erosion is moderate.
The soils in this complex are used mainly for irrigated
crops and pasture. The major crops are field tom, tom
silage, sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa hay. Sweet tom,
barley, oats, mint, and potatoes are also grown. In some
areas, these soils are used as rangeland and wildlife
habitat. In some areas, they are used for residential and
urban development.
The hazard of erosion is the major limitation to agricul-
ture on these soils. This limitation should be considered
in the management of irrigation water. The depth of the
root zone is an additional major limitation to agriculture
on the Potratr soil; the bedrock limits the growth of
some deep-rooted crops.
Furrow, border, comagation, and sprinkler irrigation
systems on be used on these soils. The border and
corrugation systems are well suited to alfalfa, small
grains, and pasture. Furrow irrigation is well suited to row
crops. Sprinkler i-rigation is well suited to most crops.
The .potential natural plant community is dominated by
bluebunch wheatgrass, Thurber needlegrass, and big sa-
gebrush. If the range deteriorates, bluebunch wheatgrass
and Thurber needlegrass decrease and are gradually
replaced by cheatgrass and other annuals. Big sage-
brush increases.
These soils are best suited to grazing in spring -and
fall. If the range is in poor condition, it on be reseeded
to Siberian wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, or other
suitable grasses. In some years the available moisture is
93
inadequate, and. there is a moderate chance of seeding
failure. Seedings are most successful late in fall.
The use of the Power soil as sites for residential de-
velopment is limited by the moderately slow permeability,
shrink-swell potential, low strength, and frost action po-
tential. The depth to rock and frost action potential are
limitations to this use on the Potratr soil.
This complex is in capability subclass Ile, irrigated, and
141-Purdam silt loam 0 to 2 ercent slo es. This
soil is moderately deeo to a har aan. and it is well
drained. it formed in loess or silty alluvium that is under-
ain~y muted alluvium. It is on low alluvial terraces. The
elevation is 2,600 to 3,100 feet The average annual
precipitation is 10 inches, the average annual tempera-
ture is 51 degrees F, and the frost-free period is about
150 days.
Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray silt
loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is light brownish
gray and pale brown silty clay loam and silt loam about
12 inches thick. The substratum consists of very pale
brown silt loam and loam about 15 inches thick; a light
yellowish brown, weakly cemented hardpan about 12
inches thick; and, to a depth of 60 inches or more, light
gray sandy loam. Depth to the hardpan ranges from 20
to 40 inches.
Included in mapping are small areas of Abo silt loam;
Elijah silt laam, 0 to 2 percent slopes; Power silt loam, 0
to 2 percent slopes; and Sebree silty clay loam, 0 to 2
percent slopes. These included soils make up about 10
percent of this map unit.
Permeability is moderately slow above the hardpan
and very slow through fractures in the hardpan. The root
zone extends to a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The availa-
ble water opacity is high. Runoff is slow. and the_ h__azard
of erosion is sli ht
n most areas, .this soil is used for irrigated crops and
pasture. The major crops are field tom, tom silage,
sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa hay. Sweet tom, barley,
oats, mint, and potatoes are also grown. In some areas,
this soil is used as rangeland and wildlife habitat In
some areas, it is used for residential and urban develop-
ment.
The depth of the root zone is the major limitation to
agriculture. The hardpan hinders the growth of some
deep-rooted crops. It also limits the available water ca-
pacity of the soil. This weakly cemented hardoan on be
riaped by heave eauioment
Furrow, border, corrugation, and sprinkler irrigation
systems on be used on this soil. The border and corru-
gation systems are well suited to alfalfa, small grains,
and pasture. Furrow irrigation is well suited to row crops.
Sprinkler irrigation is well suited to most crops.
The potential natural plant community on this soil is
dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, Thurber needle-
grass, and big sagebrush. If the range deteriorates, blue-
bunch wheatgrass and Thurber needlegrass decrease
g4
and are gradually replaced by cheatgrass and other an-
nuals. Big sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass increase.
This soil is best suited to grazing in spring and fall. If
the range is in poor condition, it can be reseeded to
Siberian wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, or other suit-
able. grasses. Seedings are most successful late in fall.
In some years the available moisture is inadequate, and
there is a moderate chance of seeding failure.
The use of this soil for residential development is
limited mainly by the cemented pan, shrink-swell poten-
tial. unstable cutbanks. low strength and frost action
potential.
The use of this soil as septic tank absorotion fields is
limited by the depth to the hardpan, which restricts the
downwar movement of the effluent. This limitation can '
genera y be offset by increasing the size of the absorp-
tion field. Mound-type absorption areas can be used if
space is limited. If effluent is discharged into the coarse-
textured alluvium below the hardpan, contamination of
nearby water supplies is a hazard.
Digging and trenching are hampered by the hardpan.
This hardpan can be penetrated by Bower eauipment_
may conapse if excavations ext
Lured alluvium below the hardpan.
The low strength, frost action potential, and shrink-
swell potential limit the construction of roads and streets.
Suitable subgrade material can help offset these limita-
tions.
This map unit is in capability subclass Ils, irrigated, and
Vlc, nonirrigated. _ _ _ _ ,
142-Purdam silt loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes. This
soil is moderately deep to a hardpan, and it is well
drained. It formed in loess or silty alluvium that is under-
lain by mixed alluvium. It is on low alluvial terraces. The
elevation is 2,600 to 3,100 feet. The average annual
precipitation is 11 inches, the average annual tempera-
ture is 51 degrees F, and the frost-free period is about
150 days.
Typically, the surface layer is light brownish gray silt
loam about 10 inches thick. The subsoil is light brownish
gray and pale brown silty clay loam and silt loam about
12 inches thick. The substratum consists of very pale
brown silt loam and loam about 15 inches thick; a light
yellowish brown, weakly cemented hardpan about 12
inches thick; and, to a depth of 60 inches or more, light
gray sandy loam. Depth to the hardpan ranges from 20
to 40 inches.
Included in mapping are small areas of Abo silt loam;
Elijah silt loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes; Power silt loam, 2
to 4 percent slopes; and Sebree silty clay loam, 0 to 2
percent slopes. These included soils make up about 10
percent of this map unit.
Permeability is moderately stow above the hardpan
and very slow through fractures in the hardpan. The root
SOIL SURVEY
zone extends to a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The availa-
ble water capacity is high. Runoff is medium, and the
hazard of erosion is moderate.
In most areas, this soil is used for irrigated crops and
pasture. The major crops are field com, com silage,
sugar beets, wheat, and alfalfa hay. Sweet com, barley,
oats, mint, and potatoes are also grown. In some areas,
this soil is used as rangeland and wildlife habitat. In
some areas, it is used for residential and urban develop-
ment.
-The hazard of erosion and the depth of the root zone
are the major limitations to agriculture. The hazard of
erosion can be offset through proper management of
irrigation water. The hardpan hinders the growth of some
deep-rooted crops. It also limits the available water ca-
pacity of the soil. This weakly cemented hardpan can be
ripped by heavy equipment.
Furrow, border, corrugation, and sprinkler irrigation
systems can be used on this soil. The border and corru-
gation systems are well suited to alfalfa, small grains,
and pasture. Furrow irrigation is well suited to row crops.
Sprinkler irrigation is well suited to most crops.
The potential natural plant community on this soil is
dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, Thurber needle-
grass, and big sagebrush. If the range deteriorates, blue-
bunch wheatgrass and Thurber needlegrass decrease
and are gradually replaced by cheatgrass and other an-
nuals. Big sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass increase.
This soil is best suited to grazing in spring and fall. If
the range is in poor condition, it can be reseeded to
Siberian wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, or other suit-
able grasses. Seedings are most successful late in fall.
In some years the available moisture is inadequate, and
there is a moderate chance of seeding failure.
The use of this soil for residential development is
limited mainly by the depth to the hardpan, shrink-swell
potential, unstable cutbanks, low strength, and frost
action potential.
The depth to the hardpan, which restricts the down-
ward movement of the effluent, limits this soil for. use as
septic tank absorption fields. This limitation can generally
be offset by increasing the size of the absorption field.
Mound-type absorption areas can be used if space is
limited. If effluent is discharged into the coarse-textured
alluvium below the hardpan, contamination of nearby
water supplies is a hazard.
Digging and trenching are hampered by the hardpan.
This hardpan can be penetrated by power equipment.
Cutbanks may collapse if excavations extend into the
coarse-textured alluvium below the hardpan.
This soil is well suited to use as sites for houses
without basements. The construction of houses with
basements is hampered by the hardpan.
The low strength, frost action potential, and shrink-
swell potential limit the construction of roads and streets.
Suitable subgrade material can help offset these limita-
tions.
This map unit is in capability subclass Ile, irrigated,
and Vlc, nonirrigated.
~ ~ ~~
~~ ~ . ~
t.3
e4.
~_
~' I
l i.:
p P
~ v Q ~>
~~
7 ,:
R ~-
~ulA-
~r
s •
t' ~ ~
[r ~ a
-+t
Ji
a
e
• ~~~ t
1
~ .P ~
r
'j HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A Good Place to Live
OFFICIALS
CityClerk
I
E
CITY OF MERIDIAN COUNCILMEN
JA
NICECiASS
Treasure oB~TaES
BRUCE O. STUART, water works supt.
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney 33 EAST IDAHO MAX YERRINGTON
JOHN 3HAWCROFT, waste water supt.
MERIDIAN
IDAHO 83642 ROBERT D. CORRIE
KENNY BOWERS, Fire Chief , Chairman Zoning 8 Pianeing
BILL GORDON, Pollee Chief Phone (208) 888-4433 JIM JOHNSON
C3ARY SMITH, P.E., City Engineer FAX (208) 887-4813 Centennial CooMinator
GRANT P. KINGSFORD PATSY FEDRIZZI
Mayor
October 26, 1993
~~~~~~~
Mr. Leon Blaser ~®~ ®~ ~~~3
Interwest Financial Services
Developer of Chateau Meadows #8 Subdivision ~~~~ ~~ ~~ER~~~A~
3875 Twilight Drive
Boise, ID 83703 ___.__~_
.. ~~
",~
Dear Mr. Blaser, ~~ ~' `~~~,.
,~~> ~~ ~e
Thank you for. your assistance in held
investigate water saturated soils and ~
~~ .,~ ~>°
Chateau Meadows ~8 Subdivis~:bn. ~4~1;~T~"~the
has been receuied and analyzed~by ,han
engineer in accordance.-with out ve~bal~ag
of the independent. engineers .,„le~te~ -to the
October 20, 1993 is enclosed ~ ~~our
letter were also distributed ~ ~'~ `~ '°es~ei
October 21 Coordination :Meeti~"n at`~ Mer~.di
Based on field warms` tes~ o =mss
anaylsis by the: independent engineer,
concludes that the drainage situation in t
to be a soils related problem. The
described as Lots 21,. 22, 23, X33, ~.;3'~ a
Meadows #8 Subdivision. ;,
n~ t~~e City of Meridian
t ,crawl spaces in the
Zformaion we requested
independent consulting
ement ~~ith you . A copy
t~xt~ .;Meridian, dated
view. °~ ~ Copies of this
iarties `who attended the
i City Z3a11.
1`ts and objective data
the ,~~,~ity of Meridian
i~ a~.fected lots appears
r~.e~cted properties are
d~`' 35, Block 9 Chateau
The City of Meridian formaly~requests that you, the Developer
of Chateau Meadows #8, retain a Geotechnical engineer to conduct
further detailed site soil anaylsis of each affected property and
then design and construct a crawl space drainage system appropriate
to the soil conditions at each affected property.
We are requesting that this work be completed as soon as
possible and no later than March 1, 1994. The affected homeowners
have been very patient while we have been investigating this
situation. Your Geotechnical engineer needs to expedite this
project to avoid further water problems this Spring.
Page 1 of 2
f /
OFFICIALS
WILLIAM G. BERG, JR., City Clerk
JANICE GASS, Treasurer
BRUCE D. STUART, Water Works Supt.
WAYNE G. CROOKSTON, JR., Attorney
JOHN SHAWCROFT, Waste Water Supt.
KENNY BOWERS. Fire Chief
BILL GORDON, Police Chief
GARY SMITH, P.E.. City Engineer
Page 2 of 2
HUB OF TREASURE VALLEY
A Good Place to Live
CITY OF MERIDIAN COUNCILMEN
RRO E~
O~
O
ERA
RT
F."
S
33 EAST IDAHO MAX YERRINGTON
MERIDIAN, IDAHO 83642 ROBERT D. CORRIE
Phone (208) 888-4433 Chairm~ Zoning a Planning
JIM JOHNSON
FAX (208) 887-4813 Centennial Coordinator
GRANT P. KINGSFORD PATSY FEDRIZZI
Mayor
As you proceed to solve this problem, don't hesitate to contact me
or the independent engineer to get copies of any information we
have that can help you.
Once again, thank you for your assistance and willingness to
solve this problem.